The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Arewa People’s Forum (APF), has condemned the alleged interference by the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi in the outcome of the party’s primary election held in Abuja on May 29, 2026.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday, the group said it was particularly alarmed at the hatred being displayed by Mr. Obi, who had unilaterally taken it upon himself to usurp the Arewa slot in the FCT under a settled ‘zoning’ and mutually-agreed arrangement.
In the statement, signed by Alhaji Musa Aliyu, the APF noted that it was in the spirit of federal character and inclusive politics that Mrs. Iyabo Pam, from the South emerged as the party’s senatorial candidate; while Rep Hassan Ahmed Grema, representing the North, emerged as candidate for the House of Representatives.
According to Aliyu, the other leg of the tripod was zoned to the Indigenous People of Abuja, which explained why how Rep Ahmadu Sule Kamal emerged as the party’s candidates for the second federal constituencies in the FCT.
“These outcomes were the product of a democratic process in which aspirants purchased forms, campaigned, mobilised support and submitted themselves to the will of party delegates,” he stressed..
He said it was therefore shocking that after that process, “there are now strong allegations of a plot to substitute the name of Rep Hassan Ahmed Grema with that of Hon. Uchenna Harris Okonkwo (Uche Harry), a serving member of the House of Representatives from Anambra State, allegedly with the backing of Mr Peter Obi.”
Aliyu warned that this development, if allowed to stand, would amount to nothing short of a betrayal of internal democracy, an insult to the aspirations of party members in the FCT, and a dangerous precedent that reduces party primaries to a sham.
Wondering how does a politician who reportedly failed to secure the confidence of his own constituents in his Anambra State political base would suddenly become suitable to represent AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in Abuja, Aliyu asked: “How does someone who could not clinch his party’s ticket in the constituency where he is currently serving as a lawmaker become the preferred choice over more than 20 aspirants who bought forms, campaigned and contested for the FCT seat?”
He warned that the people of the FCT were not political refugees to be imposed upon, adding that the FCT was not an emergency rehabilitation centre for failed politicians from other parts of the country.
“Its electoral mandate must be earned through credibility, competence, performance and the confidence of the people, not through backroom arrangements and elite manipulation,” he said.
He further stated: “Even more troubling is the alleged attempt to remove Rep Hassan Ahmed Grema, who is widely seen as a prominent voice of the Hausa community in Abuja and is also the son of the Sarkin Hausawa of Abuja. Such a move, if true, will inevitably be viewed as politically provocative, deeply insensitive and capable of widening ethnic and regional distrust within the party at a time when unity should be paramount.
“This is not just about one candidate. It is about justice, fairness and the sanctity of the democratic process.
“If party leaders can arbitrarily overturn the outcome of duly conducted primaries, then what message are they sending to party faithful who invest time, resources and hope in the political process? What becomes of the sacrifice of those who bought nomination forms, campaigned openly and subjected themselves to the rules of competition?”
The APF, FCT Chapter, therefore strongly condemn any attempt to substitute the name of Rep Hassan Ahmed Grema after his emergence at the NDC primary election, saying “we reject the imposition of any outsider over the duly elected aspirants of the FCT. “
It called on Mr Peter Obi and all leaders of the NDC to immediately distance themselves from this alleged act of injustice and political fraud, demanding that the outcome of the 29 May 2026 primaries be respected in full.
“We warn that any attempt to tamper with the mandate freely given at the primaries may trigger avoidable political consequences and damage the credibility of the party in the FCT and beyond. Whoever is behind this alleged scheme should be ashamed. It is unacceptable, undemocratic and disgraceful,” the group emphasized.
It advised the leadership of the NDC to choose whether it wants to be known as a party of law, order and democracy, or as a platform where the will of the people is casually discarded to satisfy the interests of a few powerful individuals.
