Violence erupted on Monday during the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary election for Nasarawa North, disrupting the voting process and leaving an election official injured as tensions escalated among delegates at the venue.
The incident occurred during the party’s internal primary exercise conducted to select its candidate for the 2027 general elections in Nasarawa State, a contest that has already been marked by rising political tension and competing interests within the party structure.
Eyewitness accounts and party insiders reported that the situation deteriorated suddenly after disagreements broke out among delegates and supporters over electoral procedures. What initially appeared to be a routine political gathering quickly turned chaotic as tempers flared and order broke down at the venue.
Security operatives stationed at the location were forced to intervene swiftly to prevent the situation from escalating further. Party officials also moved quickly to separate rival groups and restore calm, though the disruption temporarily halted the electoral process.
The injured election official, whose identity had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting, sustained injuries during the commotion. He was immediately given first aid treatment by medical personnel present at the venue before being moved for further attention.
The All Progressives Congress has yet to release a full official statement on the incident, but preliminary indications suggest that the violence may have been linked to disagreements over delegate arrangements and internal disputes among factions within the party.
Political observers note that the APC primary elections in Nasarawa State have been highly competitive, with aspirants and their supporters increasingly engaged in intense rivalries ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.
The Nasarawa North Senatorial District remains a politically strategic zone within the state, covering key local government areas including Akwanga, Wamba, and Nasarawa Eggon. The district has historically played a decisive role in shaping the outcome of senatorial elections in Nasarawa State.
In recent years, internal party contests in Nigeria have increasingly witnessed similar tensions, particularly in constituencies where political influence is closely contested. Analysts say such incidents reflect deeper challenges within internal party democracy, including disputes over delegate selection, lack of consensus building, and heightened competition for political tickets.
Despite the disruption, party officials on the ground reportedly managed to regain partial control of the situation, allowing efforts to resume toward concluding the primary election process under tighter security arrangements.
Security agencies deployed to the venue were commended for their quick response, which helped prevent the violence from spreading further or resulting in more serious casualties.
Party stakeholders have since called for calm among aspirants and their supporters, urging all parties involved to respect the outcome of the electoral process once concluded and to pursue any grievances through appropriate party and legal channels.
Efforts are currently underway by the APC electoral committee overseeing the exercise to assess the extent of the disruption and determine whether voting will continue at the same venue or be rescheduled to ensure a peaceful and credible conclusion.
Officials of the party emphasized that despite the incident, the APC remains committed to conducting transparent, fair, and credible primaries across all states, including Nasarawa, as part of its preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Political analysts have expressed concern over the recurring pattern of violence during party primaries in Nigeria, noting that such incidents undermine public confidence in the electoral process and raise questions about internal party discipline.
They further argue that unless stronger mechanisms are put in place to manage internal disputes and ensure transparent delegate systems, similar incidents may continue to affect political stability during party primaries across the country.
The Nasarawa North Senatorial District, where the incident occurred, is considered one of the most politically sensitive regions in the state due to its demographic diversity and history of closely contested elections.
Observers say the outcome of the APC primary in the district could significantly influence the party’s chances in the broader senatorial election, making the stakes particularly high for aspirants and their supporters.
As of the time of filing this report, calm had been restored at the venue, and party officials were making arrangements to continue or reschedule the exercise in line with electoral guidelines.
The APC in Nasarawa State is expected to issue a formal statement detailing the circumstances surrounding the violence and outlining measures to prevent a recurrence in subsequent party activities.
Security agencies have also assured residents that adequate measures will be taken to ensure peaceful conduct of future political gatherings in the state.
The incident adds to growing concerns over election related violence during party primaries across Nigeria, highlighting the need for sustained reforms within political parties to strengthen internal democracy and reduce conflict during candidate selection processes.
Further updates are expected as investigations continue and the APC electoral committee reviews reports from the affected senatorial district.
