A dramatic twist has unfolded in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency after party officials rejected an earlier result declaration and officially announced Yusuf Adamu Gagdi as the winner of the contest.
The controversy followed an earlier announcement that declared John Tongshinen victorious in the primary election, a declaration the party later described as unauthorized and invalid.
Chairman of the Plateau APC Primaries Electoral Committee, Stella Okotete, clarified on Monday that only the officially appointed returning officer had the constitutional authority to declare the results of the election.
Addressing journalists in Jos, Okotete stated that was the only recognized returning officer for the primary and that any declaration made outside his mandate should be disregarded.
“The only officially appointed returning officer, Nandom Andrew Kura, has the constitutional authority to declare the results of the primary election,” she said.
Following the clarification, the committee affirmed that Kura officially declared Gagdi winner of the APC House of Representatives primary election conducted across the constituency on Saturday.
Reacting to the development, Gagdi insisted that the primary election was credible and properly conducted in all 36 electoral wards within the constituency.
Speaking with journalists after the declaration, the lawmaker said the process was supported by accreditation records, photographs, and video evidence, dismissing allegations of multiple authentic results.
He also described the earlier declaration attributed to Daspan Ishaya as fraudulent, maintaining that the individual was neither appointed by the electoral committee nor authorized to announce election outcomes.
“The constitution and guidelines of the party clearly vest the power to appoint election officials in the electoral committee. Any declaration outside that authority is null and void,” Gagdi stated.
The reversal of the earlier result has sparked fresh controversy within the constituency, with supporters of the previously announced winner reportedly expressing dissatisfaction over the development.
The APC primary election in the Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency remains one of the most closely watched political contests in Plateau State ahead of the 2027 general elections due to Gagdi’s political influence and the intense competition surrounding the race.
