From Yakubu Wuyep, Jos
The Angwan Rukuba community youths in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State have staged a peaceful protest in Jos over the alleged imposition of a candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jos North/North state constituency seat.
Addressing journalists and protesters during the demonstration, the Youth Leader of the community, Mr Christopher, said the action was to register their grievance against the emergence of Hon Abdulkadir Hassan as the party’s candidate.
According to him, during the party primaries, the current member representing the constituency, Hon Adamu Aliyu, won the election with a wide margin. However, due to some legal issues, he was disqualified.
Christopher stated that based on electoral norms, the second runner-up in the primaries, Hon Harry Ishaya Markus, ought to have been declared the party’s candidate. He expressed concern that the party instead picked Hassan, who he claimed came fourth in the primary election.
“This is uncalled for and unacceptable to us as a people,” he said. “We are calling on the National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, the Plateau State Governor, Barr Caleb Mutfwang, and all relevant stakeholders to intervene and do the needful in the interest of fairness and justice.”
The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions demanding that the party respect the outcome of the primaries and the wishes of the constituents.
Security personnel were on ground to ensure the protest remained peaceful and orderly APC is a disgrace to us Plateau State.