A fresh controversy has emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of its convention, as a party official, Dagogo Fubara, has accused the leadership of denying some aspirants access to nomination forms despite meeting all requirements.
Fubara, who serves as Director-General of the APC States Assembly Forum, made the allegation during a live interview on Arise Television’s “Prime Time” programme on Tuesday.
He claimed that he and others had completed the process required to contest for positions within the party but were later told that the nomination forms were no longer available.
According to Fubara, the affected aspirants had paid the required fees and successfully passed the screening process before being denied access to the forms.
“After paying for the forms and fulfilling all the necessary requirements, we were denied the opportunity to get the aspirant nomination forms,” he said.
He explained that after completing payment and clearance, they were directed to the party’s organising department to collect the forms. However, upon arrival, they were informed that the forms had been exhausted.
“We all paid that money. They received it, and we went for clearance. We were cleared according to the rules. But when we got there, they told us the forms were finished,” he added.
The claim has raised concerns about transparency and fairness in the party’s internal processes, especially as preparations continue for the convention.
Fubara expressed disappointment over the situation, noting that he had been involved in party activities for many years and expected a more open and fair process.
He said the development was surprising, especially for members who had remained loyal to the party since its early days.
“We started this system from 2012. I was happy that this convention would allow more young people to come in and serve the party,” he said.
The APC was formed in 2013 after the merger of several political parties, including the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), and others. Since then, it has grown to become one of Nigeria’s major political parties.
Fubara noted that members from the ACN bloc, in particular, had contributed to building the party and should not be sidelined.
“We see ourselves as qualified to contest for positions, so it is surprising that a few people can say the forms are exhausted,” he said.
Political party conventions play a key role in Nigeria’s democratic system. They are used to elect party leaders, set policies, and prepare for future elections.
For the APC, the convention is particularly important as it helps shape the party’s structure and direction ahead of upcoming political contests.
Fubara’s allegations have added to ongoing discussions about internal democracy within political parties in Nigeria.
Over the years, several politicians and analysts have raised concerns about how candidates are selected, with complaints ranging from lack of transparency to alleged favouritism.
They argue that when aspirants who meet all requirements are denied opportunities, it can discourage participation and weaken the democratic process.
As of the time of filing this report, the leadership of the APC has not issued an official response to the allegations.
However, party insiders say the issue may be addressed as part of ongoing preparations for the convention.
Some members have called on the party leadership to investigate the claims and ensure that all qualified aspirants are given equal opportunities.
The APC remains Nigeria’s ruling party, with Bola Ahmed Tinubu as president. Since coming into power in 2015, the party has faced both internal and external challenges, including managing diverse interests within its ranks.
Maintaining unity within the party is seen as crucial for its continued success, especially as political activities gradually build toward future elections.
Issues like the one raised by Fubara highlight the need for strong internal systems that can handle disputes fairly and openly.
For now, attention is on how the APC leadership will respond to the allegations and whether steps will be taken to address the concerns raised.
Party members and observers alike are watching closely, as the outcome could influence confidence in the party’s processes.
For Fubara and other affected aspirants, the hope is that the situation will be resolved in a way that reflects fairness and respect for party rules.
As preparations for the convention continue, many believe that ensuring transparency and equal opportunity will be key to strengthening the party and maintaining public trust.