Stakeholders, governorship aspirants and statutory delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State, led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, have said any attempt to foist the indirect primary option on the party may cost it the 2019 governorship election.
The stakeholders, including Dr. Mahmud Halilu, believed to be Mrs. Aisha Buhari’s brother, and former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Nuhu Ribadu, told a news conference in Abuja that only primaries conducted through the direct option will be accepted.
Lawal, who spoke on behalf of the stakeholders, said as a former SSG, there was no way a stakeholders’ meeting can be held in his absence. He added that the meeting where the indirect primary was endorsed was secretly called and held inside the Government House.
He reminded party leaders of a pending appeal against the conduct of the congresses that brought the current leaders to office, saying any primary conducted by such a group will be null and void.
Lawal said: “Further to our April 27 news conference on elective congresses, we are constrained to once again express our rejection of the indirect primaries being concocted by the Adamawa State government and its cohorts.
“Recall that the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) adopted the direct primaries for the nomination of candidates for the 2019 elections. We praise our National Chairman Adams Oshiomole, and NEC members for the landmark decision.
“For a long time now, especially in the days building up to the political activities, key stakeholders have been increasingly marginalised and party activities and processes carried out in secrecy to exclude legitimate interests. This policy of exclusion came to a head with the purported September 3 meeting of the State Executive Committee, where indirect primaries was allegedly adopted as mode of electing party flag bearers.
“That meeting was convened secretly; we the undersigned aspirants, statutory delegates and critical stakeholders, were not invited. It was therefore a meeting of like minds; persons who were prepared to perpetuate illegality to satisfy the whims of an individual who has lost out in popularity and integrity.
“We dissociate ourselves from the purported resolution which was done in bad faith and is bound to affect the image and chances of our party in the elections.
“Majority of the APC family in Adamawa received the news of the adoption of direct primaries by NEC with pleasure and enthusiasm. Our members are pleased that they will help the party nominate credible, acceptable and marketable candidates to fly its flag. We, therefore, cannot allow unpopular persons who are afraid of voters to change the rule of the game.”
Those who attended the briefing include Lawal; Senator Ahmed Mo’Allayid; Senator Halilu Girei; Senator Bello Tukur; Marcus Gundiri; Nuhu Ribadu; Sadiq Muhammed (Walin Ganye); Dr. Mahmoud Halilu, among others.
