Yobe 2019: APC stakeholders make case for credible primaries

Stakeholders in the politics and administration of Yobe State have kicked against the recent decision by a group to give Governor Ibrahim Geidam the sole power to nominate his successor, as well as determine the fate of other aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

To this end, President Muhammadu Buhari and the national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, have been asked to quickly intervene so as to avert any crisis that could undermine the prospects of the party in next year’s general elections.

Speaking on behalf of some stakeholders, a former commissioner in the state and an aspirant for the state House of Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Salihu Bakabe, said the decision did not reflect the will of the majority in Yobe APC. He noted that prominent figures like Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, a former governor; Cidi Karasuwa, Yerima Gudi, amongst numerous others, were not invited for the meeting where such decision was taken. He said they were side-lined.

He said the power conferred on the governor clearly negated the principle of equity, fairness and justice in any democratic practice, adding that instead of allowing aspirants to test their popularity, imposition would become the order of the day.

“This is not only wrong but a clear subversion of the will of the electorate, the very essence of democratic tenets, which the APC under President Buhari and Comrade Oshiomhole stand for. It is pertinent that they intervene because if care is not taken, unpopular candidates would be fielded. And your guess is as good as mine as to what would be the outcome at the end of the day”, Alhaji Salihu said.

He said that all hands must be on deck to ensure the victory of the APC and President Buhari in 2019.