The Arewa People’s Forum (APF), FCT Chapter, has accused NDC presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi of attempting to unilaterally replace Rep. Hassan Ahmed Grema, the party’s duly elected House of Representatives candidate for AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency, with Hon. Uchenna Harris Okonkwo, a serving lawmaker from Anambra State.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday, 9 June 2026, and signed by Alhaji Musa Aliyu, Chairman of APF FCT Chapter, the group described the alleged move as “a betrayal of internal democracy, an insult to the aspirations of party members in the FCT, and a dangerous precedent.”
APF said the NDC held its FCT primary elections in Abuja on 29 May 2026 through a process that produced three candidates under a zoning arrangement, including Mrs. Iyabo Pam from the South as senatorial candidate; Rep. Hassan Ahmed Grema representing the North for AMAC/Bwari; and Rep. Ahmadu Sule Kamal for the second federal constituency, representing the Indigenous People of Abuja.
According to the forum, the outcomes emerged after aspirants purchased forms, campaigned, mobilized support, and submitted themselves to party delegates.
It is therefore “shocking” that after the process, there are “strong allegations of a plot to substitute the name of Rep Hassan Ahmed Grema with that of Hon. Uchenna Harris Okonkwo, allegedly with the backing of Mr. Peter Obi,” the statement read.
APF questioned the rationale behind the alleged substitution, asking: “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 forum insisted that “the people of the FCT are not political refugees to be imposed upon” and that the territory “is not an emergency rehabilitation centre for failed politicians from other parts of the country.” It argued that electoral mandates must be earned through credibility, competence, and the confidence of the people, “not through backroom arrangements and elite manipulation.”
APF expressed additional concern over reports that Rep. Grema, described as “a prominent voice of the Hausa community in Abuja and also the son of the Sarkin Hausawa of Abuja,” could be removed. The group warned that such a move “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.”
The Arewa People’s Forum consequently strongly condemned any attempt to substitute Rep. Hassan Ahmed Grema after his emergence at the NDC primary; rejected the imposition of any outsider over duly elected FCT aspirants and demanded that the outcome of the 29 May 2026 primaries be respected in full.
It also called on Mr. Peter Obi and NDC leaders to immediately distance themselves from the alleged act of injustice, warning that any attempt to tamper with the mandate may trigger avoidable political consequences and damage the party’s credibility in the FCT and beyond.
“Whoever is behind this alleged scheme should be ashamed. It is unacceptable, undemocratic and disgraceful,” APF said.
The group urged the NDC to “retrace its steps before this growing crisis turns into a full-blown political calamity,” adding that the party must decide whether it wants to be known as a platform of law and democracy, or one where “the will of the people is casually discarded to satisfy the interests of a few powerful individuals.”
As of press time, the NDC and Mr. Peter Obi had not issued an official response to the allegations. Rep. Hassan Ahmed Grema could not be reached for comment. Efforts to reach Hon. Uchenna Harris Okonkwo were also unsuccessful.
