The Chairman and Returning Officer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Primary Election Committee, Fidelis Bemse, has clarified why the results of the House of Assembly primaries were not announced alongside the governorship primary election results at the state level.
Speaking shortly after the announcement of the APC governorship primary election results, Bemse explained that the House of Assembly primary elections follow a distinct legal and electoral process that must be concluded at the constituency level.
According to him, the House of Assembly elections were conducted across the various council wards, which served as designated voting centres. At the end of voting in each ward, results were immediately announced to determine the winners at that stage.
He further stated that the next phase of the process involves the collation of all ward results at the constituency level, where the final announcement and declaration of winners are made.
“The House of Assembly primary election announcement, just like that of the governorship, is conducted at the constituency level and not here at the state level,” Bemse explained.
He stressed that announcing constituency results at the state level would violate established legal procedures and could invalidate the entire process.
“I would bring great injustice to the APC family in Plateau State if I were to bring the results from the various state constituencies and announce them here,” he said.
Bemse noted that the Supreme Court has already provided clear legal guidance on the matter, emphasizing that any deviation from the approved process could render the election illegal.
“The Supreme Court has made it clear that such an announcement and such an election process would be illegal,” he added.
The APC official maintained that the party remained committed to credible, transparent, free, and fair primaries across Plateau State. He revealed that he personally monitored the conduct of the elections in several locations and was satisfied with the process.
“To now introduce something that would render the election illegal cannot be my position or that of my party,” he stated.
Bemse concluded by expressing optimism for peaceful and successful elections in the state.
“I wish the people of Plateau State a successful election year,” he said
