Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has assured all contestants under the All Progressives Congress (APC) of a free, fair, and transparent direct primary election where consensus could not be reached.
The governor gave the assurance during a strategic meeting with critical stakeholders of the party and all aspirants under the party at the Hauwa Wali Multipurpose Hall, Government House, Minna.
He said that discussions are still on with aspirants to build consensus to reduce conflict and foster unity.
While maintaining that the timetable for the primary elections has not been changed, the farmer governor revealed that the primaries will be held at the headquarters of every ward across the state.
He cautioned aspirants not to bring thugs to disrupt the process, as such could lead to disqualification, and any nonmember found wanting during the process will be dealt with decisively.
The governor appreciated aspirants who stepped down and embraced consensus, saying that the government will work closely with them and reward their sacrifices.
He also thanked the party for the successful screening of all aspirants without any case of disqualification and applauded all those that attended the meeting.
Also speaking, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alh. Mohammed Idris, commended the governor for his outstanding leadership role in the party, which has led to many stepping down their ambitions.
He said it is a good moment for the party and its members, while expressing confidence of rancor-free primary elections that would be a model to other states of the federation.
The Niger State Commissioner of Police (CP) Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, in his remarks, enjoined aspirants and party members to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner while assuring them of adequate security across all the 274 wards of the state.
CP Elleman called on all the aspirants to go to his office at the Police headquarters on Thursday (today) to sign the peace accord, which he said is necessary towards a peaceful primary.
The APC Zonal Chairman, North-Central, Mu’azu Bawa Rijau, and the State Chairman of the Party, Aminu Musa Bobi, among other stakeholders who took turns to speak, stressed the need for unity and peaceful primary elections.
Some of the aspirants who stepped down from their ambitions attributed their decision to the respect and inclusive leadership style of the farmer governor, they promised to remain faithful to the party.
