‘APC stands a better chance to win elections in Kebbi’
Alhaji Sani Dododo is a former prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and one of the notable foot soldiers of Governor Saidu Dakingari during the 2011 governorship campaign in Kebbi State. Dododo, who is now a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), bares his mind on the party’s controversial ward congress, its chances in the 2015 elections in the state, and the candidacy of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari among others….
What can you say about the acceptance of APC in Kebbi State? APC, as a party, is solidly on ground in Kebbi State. Prominent political figures, youths and women groups have massively registered as members of the APC. This signifies acceptance, support and goodwill for the party. If things work well, we shall be able to smoothen the merger and forge ahead. We will try to bury our differences and work as a united family. Despite our present differences, we are capable of moving forward progressively towards the 2015 general elections. I will assure you that APC stands a very good chance to bring about the much needed change in Kebbi State.
But what has APC done to unite its factionalized members in the state?
Notably, the merger arrangements in some states are a little bit shaky. These things are normal in a democratic setting. People are free to associate or belong to certain interests or political learning of their choice. That is the beauty of democracy. It gives room for consultations, negotiations, agitations, collective bargaining, defections and adjustments. We are currently in these processes. By the time such adjustments are done, APC will appear much stronger and formidable for a very strong and significant showing in 2015 elections.
APC ward congress in Kebbi ended in controversy. What is your view on the parallel congresses held by the two factions?
Well, I think I am not in good position to comment on it since there is a congress committee put in place by National Headquarters of the party. The committee is constitutionally empowered to oversee, coordinate, supervise and conduct all the ward congresses in kebbi State. The committee among other things is responsible for distribution of all election materials, collation and announcement of its outcome. Therefore, it will be premature and pre-emptive to comment on the general conduct of the congress. To say the fact, the former deputy governor who earlier commented on it, is not in a position to comment on the outcome of the congress because he is handling similar assignment in Niger State. He should have confined himself to what is happening in Niger State. The Kebbi State APC Congress Chairman Alhaji Danbaba Muhammmad and his members are the only authority to make statements on the outcome of the congresses.
The entire process started negatively when the congress materials were mischievously diverted by a section of the party without due consultation with other stakeholders and when the attention of the congress committee was called to the anomaly; the factional leaders shunned all pleas to return the materials for redistribution. Instead, they went ahead to conduct the congress against the directives of the congress committee. After the major stakeholders’ meeting, we all agreed to conduct the congress on Thursday, April 10, 2014. It was duly conducted by the National Congress Committee and supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police and the State Security Services [SSS].
How does APC plan to dislodge the PDP given its structures as the ruling party in Kebbi State?
Well, so far so good for APC. The party will surely be guided by the needs and aspirations of Kebbi people and other Nigerians. It is a party that will surely bring alternative to the misrule, mismanagement and insecurity brought about by the
PDP leadership. Nigerians are best to decide in 2015. You know what transpires in the country. We are faced with several human monsters. People are sufferings in abject poverty, deprivation and want. These are problems that will become campaign issues during the forthcoming elections and I believe Nigerians know what their needs are and will surely vote the right party to lead them to the promised land.
What is your view on the purported Buhari/ Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s ticket?
In as much as General Muhammadu Buhari is eminently qualified to become our flag bearer; I will say there is also an array of candidates that are equally competent, widely accepted and principled. So, as a united family, I believe APC will ensure healthy democratic process that will lead to the emergence of our presidential candidate and others with minimum hitch. Since our merger, APC has been moving on as a more united and focused party that it is. What I will say is that, we shall cross the bridge when we reach the river bank. The party is intact and it will deliver in 2015 in Kebbi State and the country at large.