By Peter Akpah
The Campaign Council of Rt. Hon. Naanlong Daniel has called on the All Progressives Congress, APC, Governorship and House of Assembly Election Committee to immediately declare collated results from Piapung Ward A and Piapung Ward B in the just-concluded rerun of the Mikang State Constituency primary.
In a statement signed by the Director-General, Kevin Makum, the Council said results from Piapung A and B were duly collated and should be accorded recognition in line with established party procedure and democratic principles.
According to the Council, Rt. Hon. Naanlong Daniel recorded a decisive victory in Piapung Ward A with 621 votes against Timdi Nkat’s 199 votes. In Piapung Ward B, the Speaker polled 1,104 votes to Timdi Nkat’s 10 votes.
The Campaign Council expressed deep concern that the Piapung A and B results have not been declared despite completion of collation, while results from other areas, including perceived strongholds of opposing interests, were allowed to stand.
The Council argued that under APC primary election guidelines, the Returning Officer’s role is limited to receiving ward results, verifying figures, collating constituency results, and declaring the candidate with the highest valid votes where no formal objection is upheld through due process.
It stressed that the Returning Officer’s authority does not extend to unilateral cancellation of validly collated results or ordering reruns outside the party’s dispute resolution framework. The Council therefore questioned the basis for withholding Piapung A and B results and insisted that each electoral stage must operate within constitutional limits without procedural overreach.
The Council further stated that the uncertainty surrounding the Piapung results is unfair to voters who have participated twice in the process. It warned that a third exercise would risk voter fatigue and erode confidence in the party’s internal democracy.
Concerns were also raised over the handling of the process by the Fidelis Mnyim-led Governorship and House of Assembly Election Committee. The Campaign Council alleged inconsistencies capable of creating avoidable tension within the party in Mikang.
The Council warned that reopening already concluded collation in selectively affected wards risks undermining the credibility of the entire primary and may be perceived by party faithful as an attempt to distort the electoral will expressed at the grassroots.
It called on all organs of the party to urgently intervene, maintaining that results were duly accredited and collated at ward level and officially received by the Returning Officer. The Council urged the Committee to declare the Piapung A and B results in the interest of party cohesion and democratic credibility.
While reaffirming confidence in the APC as a party founded on internal democracy, fairness, and due process, the Campaign Council expressed optimism that the party leadership would protect the integrity of the primary and ensure every validly collated vote is duly recognized.
