“After paying for the forms… we were denied” — Fubara alleges APC withheld nomination forms despite clearance

A senior figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC) has alleged irregularities in the party’s national convention process, claiming that aspirants who met all requirements were still unable to obtain nomination forms.

Dagogo Fubara, Director-General of the APC States Assembly Forum, made the claim during a live appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday. Fubara said he and others followed the prescribed procedures, including payment for forms and clearance by the party, but were ultimately turned away at the final stage.

According to him, the issue arose at the point of distribution of nomination materials, where officials informed aspirants that the forms had run out.

“We all paid that money. They received the money and we went for clearance. We were cleared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the convention,” he said.

Fubara added that after clearance, aspirants were directed to the organizing department to collect their forms, only to be told that none remained available. He described the explanation as inconsistent with the earlier steps completed by participants.

He also noted that he has been involved in the party’s convention processes since 2012 and expressed disappointment that, in his view, the current exercise did not reflect an open pathway for new entrants.

Fubara suggested that the situation was unexpected, especially given expectations that the convention would provide broader participation for younger members within the party. He referenced the All Progressives Congress and said those aligned with the party’s earlier political traditions had anticipated a more inclusive process under the current leadership of President Bola Tinubu, a politician in Nigeria.