By Awwal Umar Kontagora Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has urged executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State ...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has urged executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State to remain neutral ahead of the party’s forthcoming primary elections, stressing that fairness and unity must guide the process.
The governor gave the directive at an expanded stakeholders’ meeting held at the Hauwa Wali Multipurpose Hall, Government House, Minna.
Addressing party leaders and stakeholders, Bago warned aspirants against offering money to party officials, describing such acts as bribery and a threat to the credibility of the electoral process.
He emphasised the role of consensus in easing internal party processes, revealing that stakeholders across the 25 local government areas would, within two weeks, work towards producing consensus candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives and State Assembly seats.
According to him, where consensus fails, the party will adopt direct primaries.
The governor also advised party leaders to respect existing zoning arrangements where applicable, while encouraging areas without such frameworks to consider adopting them in the interest of equity and inclusion. He assured all aspirants of a level playing field, insisting that the APC in Niger State remains united and committed to strengthening its internal democratic processes.
In his remarks, APC North Central Vice Chairman, Mu'azu Bawa Rijau, dismissed reports claiming he had guaranteed automatic tickets for certain aspirants, clarifying that he holds no such powers and reaffirming the party’s commitment to fairness.
The Niger State APC Chairman, Aminu Musa Bobi, said the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to gather broad-based input on the mode of primaries to be adopted.
Also speaking, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammad Idris, described the gathering as unprecedented, noting that it provided a platform for constructive dialogue on the party’s electoral process. He urged aspirants to accept the outcome of the primaries and work collectively for the party’s success in the general elections.
Other prominent figures, including former governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, and Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, also called for unity, justice and fairness regardless of the primary model adopted.
Stakeholders from the three senatorial districts echoed calls for transparency and equity, while advocating an effective compensation framework for unsuccessful aspirants. They also cautioned supporters against inflammatory use of social media capable of overheating the political atmosphere.
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