Hundreds of aggrieved All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Nasarawa State have publicly burned party brooms in protest against the outcome of recent primary elections.
The protests, concentrated in areas such as Akwanga, Lafia, Awe and Toto, followed allegations of electoral manipulations during the gubernatorial primaries in the North-Central state.
The aggrieved members are supporters of former Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Abubakar Adamu.
Adamu lost the party’s governorship primary election to Senator Ahmed Wadada.
However, the state chapter of APC says the burning of brooms by the aggrieved party members will not diminish its popularity, achievements or grassroots support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Mr Aliyu Bello, State Chairman of the party, stated this on Tuesday during a rally organised by APC supporters in Gayam Electoral Ward of Lafia Local Government Area.
The rally followed the demonstration by Adamu’s supporters during which brooms, the symbol of APC, were burnt in parts of the state, including Gayam Ward.
Addressing supporters during what organisers described as a street-sweeping and sanitation exercise, Bello dismissed the broom-burning incident as political theatrics that could not erase the party’s achievements in the state.
He said the broom remained a symbol of APC’s ideology and accomplishments, stressing that the party’s relevance was rooted in its performance rather than its emblem alone.
“Brooms can be burnt, but the achievements and impact of our party in the state and the ideology behind the broom cannot be burnt.
“APC’s relevance in Nasarawa is built on infrastructural development, peaceful coexistence, youth empowerment, employment opportunities and women’s inclusion delivered by Governor Abdullahi Sule.
“It is also built on Federal Government’s interventions under President Bola Tinubu, and that is what the people vote for, not just a symbol,” Bello said.
The chairman cautioned politicians against promoting division and resentment over the outcome of party primaries, urging members to place the collective interest of the party above personal ambitions.
He challenged those behind the protest to account for their contributions to the development of the state when they previously held positions of responsibility.
Also speaking, Mr Uba Arikya, Deputy Chairman of Lafia Local Government Area, said the developmental strides recorded under the Sule administration were visible to residents across the state.
According to him, politics should be centred on governance and improving the welfare of the people rather than incitement and personal attacks.
Arikya reaffirmed the support of party members in the area for the leadership of Sule, whom he described as the leader of the APC in the state.
He expressed confidence that party faithful would mobilise support for all APC candidates in future elections.
On his part, Mr Sidi Ndagi, an APC chieftain in the area, urged residents to support APC candidates at all levels in the 2027 elections.
Ndagi commended Sule for what he described as his developmental achievements and urged him to remain focused on governance.
The rally featured the sweeping and washing of streets in Gayam Ward and attracted a large number of APC supporters carrying party banners, posters and brooms.
