The Integrity Youth Alliance (IYA) has expressed concern over the outcome of the recent primary elections conducted by the All Progressives Congress in Nasarawa State, arguing that the process has generated questions about representation and inclusiveness within the party.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Danjuma Lamido, the group said the emergence of candidates for key elective positions has sparked debate among party stakeholders who believe broader political representation should have been reflected in the outcome of the primaries.

According to the alliance, the APC governorship candidate and the three senatorial candidates who emerged from the exercise are all from the same demographic bloc, a development it said has raised concerns among some party members about balance and equitable participation.

The group specifically referenced the case of Mrs Angela Aya Bako, an aspirant who sought to contest the Nasarawa North Senatorial District by-election. It noted that her disqualification from the process generated reactions among supporters who considered her a credible contender and believed she should have been allowed to participate alongside other aspirants.

The alliance also cited the replacement of the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, with Abubakar Nalaraba for the Nasarawa South Senatorial seat, saying the development has further intensified discussions surrounding inclusiveness and internal democracy within the party.

According to the group, stakeholders have previously advocated equal opportunities for all interests within the APC, urging the party leadership to ensure that its political arrangements adequately reflect the diversity of the state’s population.

The alliance warned that perceptions of exclusion could have electoral implications, arguing that political parties are often strengthened when their structures and candidate selection processes accommodate a broad spectrum of interests and stakeholders.

It also referenced the APC’s performance in the 2023 presidential election in Nasarawa State, where the party lost to the Labour Party despite controlling the state government. According to the group, the result underscored the importance of wider stakeholder engagement and political inclusion.

The alliance further stated that recent political developments have fuelled speculation among some party members regarding the future direction of the APC in the state and its potential impact on future electoral contests.

It therefore called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, APC National Chairman Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda and other party leaders to encourage fairness, equity and broader participation in the allocation of elective positions in Nasarawa State.

“The APC was founded on the principles of justice, inclusion and equal opportunity. These values should continue to guide the party’s decision-making processes in order to strengthen unity and improve its electoral prospects,” the statement said.