Why APC Candidates For LG Poll Was Rejected – TSIEC

  The Taraba State Independent Electoral Commission (TSIEC) has explained why it rejected the list of candidates submitted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the forthcoming November 8, 2025 local government elections, saying the party failed to comply with the official timetable and guidelines.

The APC, through its state chairman, Barr. Ibrahim El-Sudi, had accused TSIEC of bias and collusion with the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alleging that the commission's refusal to accept its candidates' list was a deliberate move to edge it out of the elections. El-Sudi also described the action as a calculated attempt to weaken opposition voices in Taraba State, vowing to seek legal redress if the decision was not reversed.

But in a statement issued in Jalingo and signed by the commission's secretary, Barr. Eyamu Yaro, TSIEC described the APC's allegations as false, misleading, and mischievous. The commission explained that all political parties, including the APC, were duly carried along in the processes leading to the elections, and that the timetable was clear, public, and binding on all participants.

According to TSIEC, the notice of election was unveiled on June 11, 2025 at the NUT Secretariat in Jalingo during a well-attended meeting that brought together representatives of all registered political parties, the press, and civil society organizations. The APC was fully represented by its chairman, Barr. El-Sudi, who even participated in discussions at the forum.

The commission explained that under the released and amended timetable, party primaries were scheduled between July 29 and August 30, 2025. The sale of nomination forms was fixed for September 1 to 5, while the submission of completed forms was set for September 8 to 17. Screening of candidates was slated to take place between September 23 and 30, 2025. These timelines, TSIEC noted, were strictly adhered to by other political parties contesting the elections.

However, rather than comply, the APC insisted that the nomination forms be issued free of charge. The party threatened court action over the matter but failed to purchase forms within the stipulated period. As a result, the commission said, no APC aspirant was screened or recognized as a candidate in the process.

TSIEC recalled that in a dramatic twist, the state secretary of the APC, Mr. Fidelis, stormed its office on Friday, September 26, 2025, at about 2 p.m., while the screening exercise was ongoing. He arrived with files said to contain the party's candidates' list. The commission stressed that this was both surprising and untenable since the APC had neither purchased nor submitted nomination forms during the official period set aside for the exercise.

The commission also pointed out that by law, specifically the Taraba State Appropriation Law 2025, it was mandated to generate not less than ₦50 million from the sale of forms for the elections and remit same into government coffers. It emphasized that the APC's refusal to purchase forms, while demanding to field candidates, ran contrary to the law and undermined the integrity of the entire process.

TSIEC maintained that the APC's sudden attempt to submit names after deadlines had expired was a deliberate act of mischief aimed at creating confusion and discrediting the electoral process. The commission insisted that the party had all along planned to boycott the elections but was now hiding behind false accusations to mislead the public.

The electoral body therefore urged Tarabans to disregard what it described as "cheap propaganda," adding that the November 8 elections would go ahead as planned with all political parties that complied with the rules and guidelines. It reiterated its commitment to fairness, transparency, and credibility, assuring that the will of the people would be protected at the polls.