The media aide to the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has accused the All Progressives Congress of manufacturing figures during its presidential primary election as a “dress rehearsal” for the 2027 general elections.
Ibe stated this while speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Friday.
He said the ADC would not adopt what he described as questionable practices allegedly associated with the ruling party’s primary process.
According to him, the APC’s presidential primary figures lacked credibility, insisting that the ADC’s ongoing process remained transparent and credible.
“We are not doing that in the ADC, manufacturing figures as a dress rehearsal for possible rigging in 2027. That is why they are talking about 11 million votes; how? Those are manufactured figures, but we are not doing that in the ADC,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu had emerged as the APC presidential candidate with over 10 million votes during the party’s primary, while Atiku secured 1,855,787 votes to clinch the ADC ticket.
Ibe maintained that the ADC conducted its exercise under close monitoring and in line with democratic standards.
“Look at our process. NEC monitored the primaries and they were present throughout. We are trying to ensure that if we are going to deliver on our promises and be taken seriously by Nigerians, then our process must be free, fair and credible,” he stated.
He added that although allegations had been raised in some quarters concerning the exercise, such claims remained unproven.
“The process has been open and transparent, and it is still ongoing. Allegations have been made, but until those allegations are substantiated with evidence, they remain mere allegations,” he added.
