By Emmanuel Oloniruha
The Nigeria Youths in Politics (NYP) has called on the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to urgently review the outcome of the party’s primary election for the Aniocha South State Constituency seat in the Delta House of Assembly.
The NYP National Chairman, Mr. Felix Tolorunju, made the call during a news conference on Thursday in Abuja.
Tolorunju urged the APC National Chairman, the National Working Committee (NWC), and the National Executive Committee (NEC) to intervene and restore justice to the rightful winner of the primary election.
Expressing the concerns of the youth regarding the recently concluded political party primaries for the 2027 general elections, Tolorunju emphasised the need for upcoming leaders to challenge electoral irregularities.
“As youths and upcoming leaders, we believe that we must strongly lend our voices to avert the miscarriage of justice and to ensure that we put a stop to perceived wrongs.
“We all were witnesses to the recent primaries conducted by the various political parties to choose candidates for various offices across the country.
“Some of the reports of the primaries were not very palatable, and if truth be told, fell short of expectations,” he said.
While congratulating organisers and winners in areas where party guidelines and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) regulations were strictly followed, Tolorunju condemned reports of violence and manipulation elsewhere.
The NYP chairman frowned at reported cases of impunity, imposition of candidates, ballot snatching, and the deployment of thugs and firearms during the exercises in some places.
Tolorunju, alleged that the primary election in Aniocha South Local Government Area was marred by outright irregularities to favour an incumbent contestant against a youth aspirant.
According to him, the primary was contested between the incumbent, Isaac Anwuzia, and a youth contestant, Igbiki Chiedozie.
Tolorunju alleged that despite party faithful voting for Chiedozie, the process was manipulated in favour of Anwuzia to please some political godfathers in the state.
Tolorunju cautioned the APC leadership against allowing the substitution of popular, younger candidates with older politicians through godfatherism.
He warned that such actions could cause the ruling party to lose the constituency in the general elections.
“Our interest in what is happening in Aniocha South is very clear. We will not stand aside while a fellow youth is being robbed and his rights trampled upon.
“We will resist the taking away of the mandate freely given by party faithful to Igbiki,” Tolorunju stated.
He urged the APC national leadership to emulate the democratic stance of President Bola Tinubu, whom he noted has not imposed his children into political positions, and ensure that internal democracy is upheld in Delta.(NAN)