Members of the Gwagwalada All Progressives Congress (APC) Vanguard and Concerned Gwagwalada Youth Council have petitioned against alleged imposition of a non-indigene as chairmanship  flagbearer for the Gwagwalada Area Council.

The groups, in a petition sent to the party’s National Chairman, signed by  Mohammed Kabir for the Gwagwalada APC Vanguard and Emmanuel Haruna, Coordinator, Concerned Gwagwalada Youth Council, opposed the alleged imposition of a candidate from Kano State as the party’s flagbearer for the 2026 Gwagwalada Area Council Chairmanship election.

In the letter dated June 30, 2024, made available to Sunday Independent, the group maintained that the Gwagwalada Area Council, like every other council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has a unique socio-political structure and deeply rooted in the interest and aspirations of the original inhabitants and long-standing residents.

It added: “The attempt to sideline well-qualified and grassroots-based aspirants from the local community in favour of an outsider who lacks historical connection, cultural understanding, and political investment in the area is not only unjust, but also threatens the unity and credibility of our great party at the grassroots level.

“This imposition goes against the core values of internal democracy that the APC prides itself on.

“It undermines the voice of party faithful in Gwagwalada who have worked tirelessly for the growth of the party and deserves the right to select their own leaders through a transparent and fair process, but that was not the case, because the stakeholder were allegedly bribed by the then National APC Chairman, H.E Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to impose his ward/in-law on the indigenous people of Gwagwalada Area Council.

“We therefore humbly appeal to the National Working Committee (NWC) to immediately address this injustice by reversing any moves toward imposing an external candidate.

“We urge the party to allow a free, fair, and people-driven process that reflects the will of APC members in Gwagwalada.

“Failure to correct this anomaly may lead to mass disaffection, voter apathy, and potential defection, which could weaken our chances in the coming elections.

“We trust in your leadership and wisdom to do what is right and just.”