By Mike Ikechukwu
KWALE/Nigeria: Former member representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and aspirant for the same position ahead of the 2027 general elections, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai, has raised concerns over what he described as alleged attempts by some leaders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) to disenfranchise party members ahead of the party’s House of Representatives primary election scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2026.
Addressing supporters and party faithful in the constituency, Ossai alleged that intelligence reports available to him indicated that certain party leaders were allegedly compiling restricted lists of selected voters to be forwarded to returning officers expected to conduct the primary election.
According to him, such actions were contrary to the democratic principles of the APC, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the provisions of the Electoral Act guiding party primaries.
He maintained that the APC direct primary system was designed to allow all duly registered and card-carrying members of the party to participate freely in the exercise without restriction.
“This is not the spirit of the APC, it is not the spirit of the constitution, and it is not in line with the Electoral Act. Every registered and card-carrying member of the APC has the right to vote during the primary election,” he stated.
Ossai warned against any move to limit participation to selected individuals across the wards, insisting that party members would resist any attempt to impose restrictions on eligible voters.
He argued that where thousands of APC members were registered within a ward, it would be unfair and unconstitutional to restrict voting to a few hundred persons.
“In my ward alone, we have over 4,000 registered members. Those members have the right to vote, and they must be allowed to participate in the process. The law is very clear on this,” he said.
The former lawmaker stressed that the party constitution and the Electoral Act did not support any arrangement aimed at excluding members from participating in a direct primary election.
He further called on party leaders to avoid actions capable of causing disaffection or crisis within the APC in the constituency.
Ossai also urged his supporters and APC members across the federal constituency to remain peaceful but vigilant during the exercise.
While reaffirming his support for Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, whom he commended for what he described as impressive leadership and developmental strides in Delta State, Ossai said the governor’s performance had continued to attract support from people across political divides.
According to him, the governor’s achievements in governance and infrastructure development had demonstrated focus, leadership capacity and commitment to the progress of the state.
Speaking on his political ambition, Ossai said he remained committed to addressing critical issues affecting the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency if given another opportunity to represent the people at the National Assembly.
He identified key areas of focus to include infrastructure development and other pressing needs across the three local government areas within the constituency.
The APC House of Representatives primary election for the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency is expected to hold alongside similar exercises across the country as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.
