“When Fair Process Is Branded Injustice”: Prof. Tukur Defends APC-PDP Fusion Committee Against Defector’s Allegation

By Tgnews Reporter

Professor Abdullahi Liman Tukur, Chairman of the Technical Committee set up to design a framework for the seamless fusion between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State, has firmly rejected claims of injustice leveled against the committee’s work by a recently departed party member.

In a detailed response titled “When Fair Process Is Branded Injustice,” the former Vice-Chancellor of Modibbo Adama University, Yola, addressed the withdrawal of Chief Maurice Vunobolki from the APC. Chief Vunobolki, a governorship aspirant, announced his exit from the party on Tuesday, April 13, 2026, citing among other reasons what he described as injustice in the committee’s recommendations for the APC-PDP merger.

Professor Tukur stated unequivocally that he has no quarrel with Chief Vunobolki’s right to leave the party, describing the freedom of association and disassociation as a fundamental pillar of democracy guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.

However, he took strong exception to the allegation that the Technical Committee’s work amounted to injustice, insisting that the process was built on fairness, balance, and unimpeachable integrity.

The professor explained that the Technical Committee was constituted long before Chief Vunobolki indicated interest in any contest. It was deliberately structured with equal representation from both the APC and PDP to ensure impartiality and inspire confidence across political divides.

Members were drawn from individuals with proven reputations in public service and democratic values, and deliberations were conducted with transparency, rigor, and mutual respect, reaching decisions through consensus rather than coercion.

He emphasised that the committee’s recommendations, including the adoption of consensus or direct primaries while excluding the delegate system, were firmly anchored in the provisions of the Electoral Act (as amended).

The framework was not imposed but presented openly, scrutinised, and collectively adopted by representatives of both parties.

Professor Tukur drew a clear distinction between personal dissatisfaction and systemic injustice, arguing that politics does not guarantee favourable outcomes for every participant.

He warned that recasting a transparent and collectively endorsed process as bias simply because it did not align with individual expectations risks eroding standards of fairness.

“Chief Vunobolki is at liberty to chart his political course as he deems fit,” Professor Tukur noted, “but in exercising that freedom, it is imperative that the integrity of others who served with diligence, honour, and a deep sense of responsibility are not unjustly called into question.”

The professor expressed confidence that time and history would ultimately vindicate the committee’s work as one rooted in fairness, balance, and truth, rather than factional interest.

The development comes amid ongoing realignments in Adamawa politics following the fusion of structures between the APC and elements of the PDP, a process that has seen significant political realignments in the state in recent months.