By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, on Tuesday defended the party’s decision to substitute some candidates after its primaries. Speaking during an ARISE NEWS interview, Morka said the APC replaced candidates only after reviewing more than 720 petitions from aggrieved aspirants. He insisted that no person who failed to buy nomination forms, undergo screening, or participate in the primaries received a party ticket. The clarification comes amid allegations that the ruling party manipulated its candidate selection process ahead of the next general election.
APC Says Candidate Review Followed Due Process
Morka explained that the party’s appeal committees reviewed over 720 petitions submitted by aspirants dissatisfied with the primary elections.
According to him, the committees forwarded their recommendations to the National Working Committee (NWC). The NWC then carried out another independent review before approving candidate substitutions.
“We received over 720 petitions from those who contested in that election. These petitions were reviewed by the appeal committees. Recommendations were made to the National Working Committee. The National Working Committee also reviewed the reports and re-evaluated those cases before making the changes,” he said.
He maintained that every substitution reflected the outcome of the party’s internal review process.
Primary Election Is a Process, Not a Single Event
Morka argued that the APC acted within its established procedures and the law.
He stressed that the primary election process includes voting, appeals, and dispute resolution.
According to him, the appeal stage forms an essential part of the primary exercise and exists to address irregularities that may arise.
“Primary election is a process. It is not an event. The appeal process is an integral part of the primary election process. It is not separate, and it was not created to cause mischief,” he said.
APC Rejects Claims of Illegal Ticket Allocation
The APC spokesman dismissed allegations that the party awarded tickets to individuals who neither purchased nomination forms nor contested in the primaries.
He challenged anyone making such claims to provide verifiable evidence.
“I am not aware of any such case. If you have any example, mention it, and I will investigate,” Morka stated.
He insisted that every successful candidate participated in the required stages of the nomination process.
Party Reaches Out to Aggrieved Aspirants
Morka acknowledged that some aspirants remained unhappy after losing the primaries.
However, he said the APC thoroughly examined every complaint before making final decisions.
The party has also started engaging dissatisfied aspirants to explain the review process and reassure them that the decisions were fair.
“When they don’t win, some people will naturally be dissatisfied. We carefully reviewed every petition. We are reaching out to reassure them that nothing was personal or arbitrary,” he said.
He added that not every contestant could emerge as the party’s flag bearer.
APC Confident Ahead of Next General Election
Morka also dismissed suggestions that the APC fears the next general election despite controlling most state governments.
He pointed to the party’s victories in elections conducted since the 2023 general election as evidence of its strength.
“All the elections conducted since 2023, we have won them, including the most recent elections. We are working hard to win the next election,” he said.
He concluded that the APC remains focused on consolidating its electoral success rather than responding to unfounded allegations.
