Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba North Senatorial District have accused unnamed party actors of plotting to overturn the outcome of the party’s senatorial primary election, warning that any attempt to subvert the declared result could undermine internal democracy and trigger resistance from party members.

The stakeholders, alongside the National Leadership of the Conference of APC Support Groups, alleged that there were clandestine efforts to reverse the victory of Hon. Muhammad Bello, who emerged winner of the Taraba North APC senatorial primary election.

In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, signed by the Coordinator of Taraba North Stakeholders, Abubakar Ibrahim, and the General Secretary of the Conference of APC Support Groups, Dr. Bilal Galadima, the groups described Bello’s victory as a clear reflection of the wishes of party members.

It urged the APC leadership to uphold the outcome announced by the party’s National Assembly Primary Election Committee.

“We wish to state unequivocally that the will of Taraba North APC members must be respected,” the statement read. “Any attempt to alter, manipulate or subvert this duly declared mandate will not only violate party rules but will also erode public confidence in our democratic process.”

The stakeholders congratulated Bello, as well as the APC senatorial candidates for Taraba Central and Taraba South, Senator Haruna Manu and Senator David Jimkuta respectively, noting that their victories were transparently declared and monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The groups expressed concern over what they described as credible reports of attempts by some individuals within the party to overturn Bello’s victory despite his emergence as the declared winner of the primary.

They called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stand by its monitoring report and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, while urging the APC national leadership to resist pressure and recognise the candidate produced by the primary election.

The stakeholders also appealed to the Taraba State Government to remain neutral and prevent any form of unlawful interference in the party’s affairs.

“Democracy thrives on fairness, transparency and respect for the people’s choice,” they said, warning that any effort to disenfranchise APC members in Taraba North would be challenged through lawful and democratic means.