A coalition of loyal All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in Bwari Area Council has formally petitioned the party’s national leadership, condemning what they describe as a brazen attempt to subvert the mandate of Hon. Joshua Musa Ishaku, the duly elected winner of the June 25, 2025, APC Chairmanship Primary.
In a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the APC, Hon. Ibrahim Mohammed, Convener of the APC Stakeholders Forum, in Bwari raised serious concerns about what they termed “desperate political sabotage, forged documents, and internal propaganda” being circulated by elements seeking to displace Hon. Joshua despite a clear and fair electoral outcome.
According to the forum, the APC primary election in Bwari was conducted transparently, with party officials and security personnel present. Despite isolated disruptions, Hon. Joshua Musa Ishaku secured 33 votes, while his opponent, Mr. Haruna Audi Shekwolo, recorded zero votes and admitted as much in a sworn affidavit submitted to court. The letter reveals that Mr. Shekwolo later withdrew his court case when faced with irrefutable evidence.
However, instead of conceding, the Shekwolo camp allegedly began circulating forged result sheets, claiming he had won. They further spread rumors that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered Hon. Joshua’s removal, a claim the stakeholders have firmly rejected as false and dangerous propaganda.
The stakeholders highlighted the contrasting histories of the two candidates. In 2021, when Shekwolo secured the party’s chairmanship ticket, Hon. Joshua remained loyal, contributing resources and materials to the campaign. In contrast, Shekwolo lost all 10 wards in the general election, including his own.
Since then, Hon. Joshua Musa Ishaku has remained a committed APC stalwart, mobilizing support for President Tinubu’s 2023 election victory and championing the Renewed Hope Agenda at the grassroots level in Bwari.
The press statement also criticized a recently circulated “Appeal Committee Report,” which they described as unconstitutional and invalid under Article 20 (iv) of the APC Constitution, which mandates all parties be heard during investigations.
Neither Hon. Joshua nor other aspirants were summoned by the Appeal Committee. More concerning, the report was issued while a related case was still active in court, violating due process and casting doubt on the legitimacy of the committee’s findings.
Also Read
MONTHLY MEDIA PARLEY: FCT Minister Wike Defends Demolitions, Unveils New Projects
The Bwari APC Stakeholders Forum called on the National Working Committee (NWC) to:
1. Uphold the integrity of the June 25 primary, where Hon. Joshua Musa Ishaku emerged victorious.
2. Affirm Joshua’s candidacy without further delay, in line with internal party democracy.
3. Publicly distance the party from forgeries, intimidation, and blackmail tactics.
4. Reinforce faith in the APC’s commitment to free and fair internal elections.
“This is not just about Bwari; it’s about the soul of the APC,” the statement concluded. “If sore losers are allowed to hijack the process, no mandate will be safe, and we risk handing power to the opposition in 2026.”
The petition ends with a strong appeal for unity, fairness, and adherence to democratic principles, praising **President Tinubu’s leadership and reaffirming the stakeholders’ loyalty to the party.
Watch The Video
