A viral video from Saturday’s presidential direct primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has triggered controversy online after critics questioned the authenticity of vote figures announced during the exercise in Abia State.
The footage emerged from Bende Ward, where Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu supervised voting activities in support of President Bola Tinubu for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
In the widely circulated clip, an announcer was seen counting votes before suddenly declaring figures running into thousands despite what appeared to many viewers as a relatively small gathering at the venue.
Standing nearby with a Tinubu campaign banner, Kalu praised what he described as a strong turnout and overwhelming endorsement of the president’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The video quickly generated reactions across social media platforms, with critics alleging that the figures were inflated and warning that such incidents could damage public trust in Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 elections.
Some commentators described the episode as an indication of possible rigging culture within party primaries, while others questioned how vote totals could rise dramatically within a short counting sequence.
Supporters of the APC, however, dismissed the allegations and argued that the viral clip represented only a small part of the exercise.
They shared separate videos showing queues of party members participating in voting across different polling locations and insisted the party’s nationwide direct primary process reflected genuine grassroots mobilization.
As of the time of reporting, neither the APC leadership nor the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had issued any official statement regarding the viral footage or the allegations surrounding the vote count.
No formal complaints or petitions related to the Bende Ward primary had also been publicly announced.
The APC presidential primary, conducted nationwide across the country’s 8,809 wards, is expected to conclude with final collation of results in Abuja.
Political analysts say the incident underscores the growing influence of social media in shaping public perception of political events, especially during elections and party primaries.
Observers also note that transparency, credibility, and voter confidence are likely to remain major issues in Nigeria’s political discourse as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
