A concerned group within the Jigawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has observed that the way Governor Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar intends to organise the state local council poll is undermining peace and order in the state.
As a way of preventing what is described as disintegration of the party ahead of the election slated for July 1, 2017, the group is calling on the national leadership of the party as well as all well meaning members of the party to followed laid down democratic process in selecting the flag bearers of the party in the coming election.
Nasiru Datti, chairman, and convener of the concerned group, who made this observations in a prepared text he presented while briefing reporters at the Kano NUJ Press Centre on Tuesday, said the lack of transparency in the manner Governor Badaru was handling the election issue was already triggering confusion within the state chapter of the party.
Datti, who is a member of the national board of trustee of party, noted that against allow conduct of credible primary election, the governor want to single handedly hand-pick and impose candidates on the party.
“It is open knowledge that the administration of Governor Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar has continued with series of activities towards the conduct of local government elections slated for July 1st 2017, but that the various steps it has so far pursued to achieve the process have only led to an atmosphere of tension, mistrust, and threats to the party unity and break down to law and order.
“What is triggering the present state of confusion in party in the state can be traced to directive by the State Governor against the conduct of primary elections as part of the process for the emergence of popular and acceptable candidates to run for the elective position, instead, the Governor wants to single handedly or in cahoots with a few selfish individuals, hand pick and impose candidates based on criteria unknown to either the Nigerian constitution or that of the APC.
“We are, but puzzled by the Governor `s insistence against the conduct of primary elections to determined eligibility, popularity and suitability of candidates, even while President Muhammadu Buhari, and the governor respectively were first and foremost the products of the same process of primary elections.
“Other sources of worry include the obvious lack of preparation by the State `s Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), and lack of necessary enabling law to guide the conduct of the election and the impartial intervention by the party to ensure justice, fairness, and inclusive participation of all stakeholders in the process” he explained.
Giving further insight, Mohammed Sani Zorro, a member of the Federal House of Representatives, presenting Jigawa State, who is also a member of the Concerned Group, disclosed that although before now, Governor Badaru used to deny his suspected relationship and preference for inclusive of PDP members in his government, but his current romance with members of the party ahead of the election is confirming that the governor has a deal with the party.
Quoting from the prepared text, Sani Zorro added: “The Unfortunate drift in the governance of our state so far, and the state of affairs among our party followers and the state generally has not only generated tension, but has significantly eroded trust and confidence of the people in the government.
“Our most concern to us for example, is the threat by many groups and individuals to contest for the local government elections on the platform of other political parties. If that happens, you do not need a crystal ballot predict the gradual disintegration of our party in the state.
“It need no emphasis that the APC in Jigawa State must first and foremost be regarded as the common property of all its members who lost loved ones, or their limbs, sacrificed their time and energy or committed resources to ensure it victory in the 2015 elections as opposed to our deadly enemies who fought with all the resources and weapons at their disposal while in power” Zorro pointed out.
In conclusion, Zorro stated that the group organized the press briefing to raise alarm as a way satisfying it conscience as well as discharged it responsibility to the party and people of the state, adding that the ball is now in the court of leadership of the party and Governor Badaru to prevent the collapse of the party.
“Genuine APC members in Jigawa State and everywhere will therefore not standby, and watch while calculated attempts are being made by individuals or groups to undermine our great party, with intent to sabotage the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The ball is now in the court of the Jigawa State government, the party at all levels and well meaning party men and women to rise up to challenge or averting a major political catastrophe capable of reversing our gains,” he said.
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