A coalition of youths loyal to the Senator representing Plateau Central Senatorial District, Diket Satso Plang, has strongly rejected the declaration of Chief Hon. David Bitrus Barji as winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Plateau Central Senatorial primary, insisting that no valid election was conducted across the senatorial district.
Operating under the banner Coalition Youths for Senator Diket Plang, the group described the announcement of Barji as the party’s candidate as an act of imposition that allegedly violated democratic principles, APC guidelines, and provisions of the Electoral Act.
In a protest statement issued shortly after the controversial declaration in Pankshin, the group maintained that party members across the district were denied the opportunity to participate in what was expected to be a transparent and credible primary election.
According to the coalition, there was no proper voting process, accreditation of delegates, distribution of electoral materials, or official collation exercise capable of producing a legitimate winner.
The group expressed shock that a candidate could be declared victorious despite what they described as the total absence of a valid primary election process, arguing that the development undermines internal democracy within the APC.
They further stated that the alleged imposition of Barji risks creating deep divisions within the party and could weaken the confidence of loyal APC supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Throwing their weight behind Senator Plang, the coalition insisted that the sitting senator remains a respected figure within Plateau Central politics and deserves a level playing field in any democratic contest.
The youths therefore called on the national and state leadership of the APC to immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding the declaration and ensure that a free, fair, and credible primary election is conducted in accordance with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
Copies of the protest were reportedly addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, and APC Plateau State Chairman, Hon. Rufus Bature.
The controversy surrounding the Plateau Central APC senatorial primaries continues to generate intense political reactions, as party stakeholders await an official clarification from the APC leadership on the authenticity of the exercise and the status of the declared result.
