The Arewa People’s Forum (APF), FCT Chapter, has accused the presidential candidate of the NDC, Mr Peter Obi of an alleged plan to foist Uchenna Harris Okonkwo (Uche Harry), a serving member of the House of Representatives from Anambra State, on the NDC as one of its House of Reps candidates.
The group, in a statement issued today by its Chairman, Alhaji Musa Aliyu, said the party should uphold the emergence of Hassan Ahmed Grema, as the party’s candidate in the interest of justice.
“In the FCT, we are conscious of the need for federal character and inclusive politics. That was why Mrs. Iyabo Pam, from the South emerged as the party’s senatorial candidate; while Rep Hassan Ahmed Grema, representing the North, emerged as candidate for the House of Representatives. The other leg of the tripod is zoned to the Indigenous People of Abuja and that was how Rep Ahmadu Sule Kamal emerged as the party’s candidates for the second federal constituencies in the FCT,” the group said.
“It is therefore shocking that, after that process, there are now strong allegations of a plot to substitute the name of Rep Hassan Ahmed Grema with that of Uchenna Harris Okonkwo (Uche Harry), a serving member of the House of Representatives from Anambra State, allegedly with the backing of Mr Peter Obi.”
The statement reads in full:
WHY DOES PETER OBI DISLIKE AREWA COMMUNITY?
The Arewa People’s Forum (APF), FCT Chapter, has watched with deep concern and growing outrage the disturbing developments within the National Democratic Congress (NDC) following its primary elections held in Abuja on 29 May 2026.
We are particularly alarmed at the hatred being displayed by Mr. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the NDC who has unilaterally taking it upon himself to usurp the Arewa slot in the FCT under a settled ‘zoning’ and mutually-agreed arrangement.
In the FCT, we are conscious of the need for federal character and inclusive politics. That was why Mrs. Iyabo Pam, from the South emerged as the party’s senatorial candidate; while Rep Hassan Ahmed Grema, representing the North, emerged as candidate for the House of Representatives. The other leg of the tripod is zoned to the Indigenous People of Abuja and that was how Rep Ahmadu Sule Kamal emerged as the party’s candidates for the second federal constituencies in the FCT.
These outcomes were the product of a democratic process in which aspirants purchased forms, campaigned, mobilised support and submitted themselves to the will of party delegates.
It is therefore shocking that, after that process, there are now strong allegations of a plot to substitute the name of Rep Hassan Ahmed Grema with that of Uchenna Harris Okonkwo (Uche Harry), a serving member of the House of Representatives from Anambra State, allegedly with the backing of Mr Peter Obi.
This development, if allowed to stand, would amount to nothing short of a betrayal of internal democracy, an insult to the aspirations of party members in the FCT, and a dangerous precedent that reduces party primaries to a sham.
We ask: what exactly is wrong with the NDC?
How does a politician who reportedly failed to secure the confidence of his own constituents in his Anambra State political base suddenly become suitable to represent AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in Abuja?
How does someone who could not clinch his party’s ticket in the constituency where he is currently serving as a lawmaker become the preferred choice over more than 20 aspirants who bought forms, campaigned and contested for the FCT seat?
Is public office now to be handed out as a consolation prize for electoral failure?
The people of the FCT are not political refugees to be imposed upon. The Federal Capital Territory is not an emergency rehabilitation centre for failed politicians from other parts of the country. Its electoral mandate must be earned through credibility, competence, performance and the confidence of the people, not through backroom arrangements and elite manipulation.
Even more troubling is the alleged attempt to remove Rep Hassan Ahmed Grema, who is widely seen as a prominent voice of the Hausa community in Abuja and is also the son of the Sarkin Hausawa of Abuja. Such a move, if true, will inevitably be viewed as politically provocative, deeply insensitive and capable of widening ethnic and regional distrust within the party at a time when unity should be paramount.
This is not just about one candidate. It is about justice, fairness and the sanctity of the democratic process.
If party leaders can arbitrarily overturn the outcome of duly conducted primaries, then what message are they sending to party faithful who invest time, resources and hope in the political process? What becomes of the sacrifice of those who bought nomination forms, campaigned openly and subjected themselves to the rules of competition?
The Arewa People’s Forum, FCT Chapter, therefore states as follows:
1. We strongly condemn any attempt to substitute the name of Rep Hassan Ahmed Grema after his emergence at the NDC primary election.
2. We reject the imposition of any outsider over the duly elected aspirants of the FCT.
3. We call on Mr Peter Obi and all leaders of the NDC to immediately distance themselves from this alleged act of injustice and political fraud.
4. We demand that the outcome of the 29 May 2026 primaries be respected in full.
5. We warn that any attempt to tamper with the mandate freely given at the primaries may trigger avoidable political consequences and damage the credibility of the party in the FCT and beyond.
Whoever is behind this alleged scheme should be ashamed. It is unacceptable, undemocratic and disgraceful.
The FCT deserves respect. The people deserve fairness. The candidates who emerged through due process deserve justice.
The NDC must choose whether it wants to be known as a party of law, order and democracy, or as a platform where the will of the people is casually discarded to satisfy the interests of a few powerful individuals.
We urge the party to retrace its steps before this growing crisis turns into a full-blown political calamity.
Signed: Alhaji Musa Aliyu
Arewa People’s Forum (APF), FCT Chapter
Abuja, FCT.
