Politics

By Tunde John.

He stated, “The people charged with the responsibility, the party stakeholders will meet. The factors that would be taken into consideration include the logistics and all other things necessary to deliver a successful convention.

By Chris Udochukwu

Abuja (Precise Post) – Former Ekiti State Governor and PDP presidential aspirant, Ayodele Fayose’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, says that the party has the tradition of picking its presidential candidate through indirect primary.

Olayinka, who ruled out the possibility of adopting a consensus mode for the exercise, said that the venue of the party’s national convention would not have any effect on the conduct of the primary.

He said, “The PDP has the tradition of indirect primary for the emergence of the presidential candidate. The Electoral Act made it clear that for consensus to happen, all aspirants must agree. They must write that they have agreed to a consensus, even if it is one person that refuses to agree, then, there must be an election.

“He (Fayose) has made it clear that he will not step down. It means that there will be primary. The PDP has never adopted direct primary to pick its presidential candidate, but indirect mode,” he said.

“The delegates that will be coming to vote are already known. If you like, take the national convention to the backyard of anybody, it will not change anything. The delegates are specified.

“In 2018, the national convention to produce PDP candidate was done in Port Harcourt, the River State capital.

The state Governor, Nyesom Wike, supported former House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, but former Vice President Atiku Abubakar won the primary there in Port Harcourt,” Olayinka said.

By Chris Udochukwu

Abuja (Precise Post) – There are strong indications that the Peoples Democratic Party have settled for indirect primaries to pick its 2023 presidential candidate on May 29.

It was also gathered that the opposition party was looking at ways of reducing its current 17 presidential aspirants by encouraging consensus talks among them so that some of them would step down.

Sources in the party, who spoke to our correspondents on Sunday, said the ongoing consensus talks among some aspirants were not aimed at presenting a single aspirant at the presidential primary of the party.

It was learnt the party had no plan to impose a candidate on members, but it was encouraging talks among intending presidential candidates so that some of them would voluntarily step down to reduce post-primary crises.

As of Sunday, members who had obtained forms for the presidential primary included the Sokoto state Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; a United States-based medical doctor, Nwachukwu Anakwenze; media mogul, Dele Momodu; governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike; Investment banker and economist, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen; former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi; governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel; a pharmacist, Sam Ohuabunwa, and former Ekiti governor, Ayo Fayose.

Others are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; a  former  President of the Senate, Abubakar Bukola Saraki; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim and the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, as well as the only female aspirant in the race,  Tareila Diana.

But four of the aspirants—Tambuwal, Mohammed, Saraki and Hayatu-Deen—have been going round the country with aim of ensuring that the party presents a consensus candidate.

There were reports on Sunday that the option being canvassed by the four aspirants had failed as they had not succeeded in convincing others to support the move.

But a member of the party’s National Working Committee, who confided in The PUNCH, stated, “The party is in support of the move by the four aspirants. It is not to force anybody to step down, but to reduce the number of the aspirants we currently have to three or four before May 29 and from all indications, we are going to adopt indirect primary.

”Consensus  not about imposing candidate, but reducing aspirants to manageable number – Saraki’s spokesman
When contacted, Saraki’s media aide,  Yusuf Olaniyonu, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said,

“He (Saraki) is a party man to the core. Any decision taken by the party on these two issues ( mode of primaries and venue) will be okay by him.

 “The fact that he and some others are canvassing consensus candidacy, we have to put it in context. We are not saying consensus candidate means only one person will be presented at the primary.

“All we’re simply saying is that, reduce the number to a manageably low rate. Now 17 people have taken forms. The date of picking forms has not closed. More people will still pick. But you see, any serious party that wants to win an election cannot go to primaries with 17 aspirants. You cannot. It will be difficult for the party to handle. It will make the convention very complex. What we have started canvassing is to reduce the number to a manageable extent.

“Create a situation where the aspirants of their own volition can discuss among themselves, persuade each other, some step down for the other so that the number is tremendously reduced.

“So, that is the purpose of this. You can see, when the APC (All Progressives Congress) was an opposition party in 2015 and was serious about defeating the incumbent, it had so many people who were interested in the Presidency, but essentially, only five people got to the ballot at the Lagos convention.”

“That was what helped them to manage the process effectively. Now, we’re looking at 17 people who have picked forms. The number may go on to 20 because the sale of forms has not closed.

“So, what they’re simply saying is that, reduce the number. Look for four serious aspirants. Let the aspirants meet on their own volition without anybody compelling them to debate among themselves. And say, let’s start the process. Let’s show a good example. Let’s show people that even in Nigeria that you struggle; you need consensus building.

In a country that has these kinds of problems, you need bridge-building. You need people to agree among themselves and put the interest of the nation and the interest of the party above personal ambition.

“So they said, if we show good examples. So three of them started; two governors and a former senate president. Because of the good initiative that they started, one other person joined them; a former MD (Managing Director) of a leading bank. So there are four now. They are saying that we are ready to produce only one of us among us and the three of us are ready to support one person. That’s in the first instance.

“They now said, once we have started, let us encourage others. And that’s how you see them taking their message of building consensus and meeting ground of unity and cooperation; extending it to others. 

They’ve seen all the 11 governors.”
“Apart from that, they’ve also gone to see top stakeholders of the party. That’s driving the message. Now, they’re even saying that probably next week they want to have a meeting with other aspirants from other zones; to encourage them to also have the same arrangement of working together to reduce the number.

“Their own initiative is sparking a strong discussion in the south, where you see the South-East aspirants; Anyim, Peter Obi, Ohuabunwa and Anakwenze. So, you see, if they are successful, we may end up having three or four aspirants going to the primaries. So that is the purpose of all they’re doing. Their own consensus is not about imposing one person or shutting down the ambition of another person.”

“Saraki who has always been their spokesperson has always said in their own group, all the four of them are qualified to be President of this country in terms of experience, what they’re putting on ground, knowledge, in terms of educational attainment and all of that. Each of them is qualified. But they believe that the interest of the nation, the survival of the party and the unity of the party, all these considerations are bigger than the individual ambitions of the aspirants.

“The consensus they are canvassing is not about imposing one person. It’s about reducing the number of aspirants to give manageable options and choices.”

Olaniyonu also said by fixing its presidential shadow election for  May 28 and 29, the PDP had automatically adopted an indirect primary.

He stated,  “Once the party has talked about the convention on May 28 and May 29, you will know that it has automatically ruled out a direct primary. It even said it would elect delegates to represent the 774 local governments. So, it would use indirect.”

By Tunde John

Abuja (Precise Post) – Former Anambra state governor and current Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, has joined the race for the presidential seat saying he plans to re-engineer Nigeria the way he re-engineered Anambra.

His media office stated on Sunday that the minister had been consulting stakeholders in his All Progressives Congress (APC) party as well as stalwarts of opposition political parties.

He is scheduled to publicly declare his intention on April 19, the media office stated.

It added that Ngige gave his explanation for consulting opposition political parties when he addressed his supporters at Amansea, a border town with Enugu State after visiting Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

The media office stated also that Ngige’s standpoint was informed by his belief that his aspiration had a cross-party appeal.

“I visited Enugu State governor as part of my nation-wide consultation. Even though he is in PDP, he is an Igbo man.

“He is a very realistic, discerning person. Don’t forget also that Enugu is the capital of the former Eastern Region. And you know that respect is reciprocal.

“Over the week, I also consulted some other Nigerians not allied to any political party. Therefore, I had to consult the Enugu State governor over my intention to contest and to seek his views too.

“He told me to kick the ball into the net.

“So this journey is not for APC members alone. Our brothers in PDP are easily agreed that I tower above some of the persons aspiring to the position in their party.

“I have no fear whatsoever. I am equal to the task. Even our brothers in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) will join us in the task ahead,’’ Ngige was quoted as saying.

The minister said also that his antecedents, stewardship as a civil servant, governor, senator and minister stood him apart.

“What we did in Anambra in 34 months, those who did eight years have not done them.

“I did 34 months during which I laid the foundation for the new Anambra. I didn’t just lay the foundation; I also took the house beyond the lintel level.

“I built schools, returned schools to the missions, rescued Odumegwu Ojukwu University from the status of a glorified secondary school – built structures there and secured accreditation for 15 courses including Law and Medicine.

“I rehabilitated and upgraded our general hospitals, including Enugwu-Ukwu, Onitsha and Amaku in Awka and restructured the state’s civil service and also introduced examination as basis for promotion.

“I built more than 500km of roads across all senatorial zones that are still standing today.

“I also inherited N42 billion debts when I assumed office. I didn’t talk about it. I put my hands on the plough and started working and cleared arrears of pensions and salaries, among others,’’ Ngige was also quoted as saying.

Ngige added that he had an advantage of being part of this government and part of the 7th Senate.

“I’m well equipped for the job,’’ he stressed.

“I plan to re-engineer Nigeria the way I re-engineered Anambra. April 19 is the date. Let all roads lead to Alor where the matter will be laid to rest,’’ Ngige quipped. (NAN)

By Chris Udochukwu

Abuja (Precise Post) – The 32 gubernatorial aspirants from the 14 Tiv speaking local government areas have endorsed Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon Titus Uba as the governorship consensus candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the state

This followed a painstaking process that involved various segments of the stakeholders of the party in the state.

This endorsement was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Benue Governor, Nathaniel Ikyur made available to newsmen on Sunday.

Determined to retain power in the 2023 general elections in Benue State, the 32 gubernatorial aspirants from the 14 Tiv speaking local government areas endorsed the Speaker after he was selected by the Kunav leaders of Vandeikya local government and accepted by both the Sankera, Jemgbagh and MINDA political elders.

The gubernatorial aspirants took the unanimous decision following series of stakeholders meetings involving mediations by the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom and other leaders of the party in the state.

At the meeting of stakeholders from the 14 Tiv speaking local government areas held Sunday, April 17th, 2022 at the New Banquet Hall of the Benue Peoples House, the aspirants unanimously presented Hon Uba to the Governor as their consensus.

Chairman of the PDP Governorship Aspirants Forum, Barrister Chille Igbawua said though the process was tedious, they had accepted the choice of Uba as presented by the people of Kunav.

Governor Ortom charged the consensus candidate to work with the aspirants and visit them individually in order to convince them to work for him and also share their manifestos with him.

In separate remarks, Senators representing Benue North East and North West, Gabriel Suswam and Orker Jev respectively, commended the process as mid-wifed by the Governor, even as he also commended the aspirants for their resilience and cooperation.

Receiving the consensus candidate on behalf of the party, state Deputy Chairman of the PDP, Hon Isaac Mfo thanked the Governor for consulting widely to arrive at the consensus by the Tiv speaking areas,  stressing that the aspirants also exhibited high level of patience as the process lasted.

Hon Uba will now contend with the deputy governor, Engr Benson Abounu who emerged as the consensus candidate for the 9 local government areas for the guber ticket at the party Congress.

….Wishes Nigerians a very fulfiling Easter Celebration

…. Calls on citizens to unite and defeat the spirit of divisiveness

By Chris Udochukwu

Abuja (Precise Post) – The Labour party has expressed worry over the rate of conviction bordering on high political corruption offences and equally expressed reservations about the criteria for the pardon and wondered why only VIP convicts benefitted from the privilege and excluded other ordinary and unknown Nigerians who committed the same offences due to malfeasance and recklessness of Nigeria Administration and were still languishing in our various correctional centres for years without any succour to their plight.

Also, the party in a statement signed by it’s national Chairman, Barr Julius Abure wishes Nigerians a very fulfilling easter celebration and called on citizens to unite and defeat the spirit of divisiveness.

The party however identified with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on the 21-day ultimatum handed down to the federal government to resolve its face-off with the four university-based unions that led to the ongoing strike.

The party also kicked against the five thousand naira been proposed by the BUHARI APC administration to be paid monthly to 20,000 Nigerians as transport grant, saying that such fund should be channelled to the payment of the striking teachers, payment of gratuity and pensions of retired senior citizens as there is no database for such disbursement.

These were contained in its Easter message to Nigerians, titled “He’s Risen” where it stated that Jesus Christ was wrongly accused, captured, wounded, bruised, beaten, nailed to the cross and suffered the pains of death for our transgressions.

According to the party in the message signed by Bar Julius Abure, National Chairman, “Today signifies Christ’s validity of the promise to go prepare a place for us in the heavenly as he rose from the temporary state of death to eternal life.

“Premised on the aforementioned, it’s pertinent to note that the recent state pardoned exercise by the Council of state was constitutional because they must have seen sufficient reasons to grant such recommendations, which many people might not be privy to and thus concluded it as a political tool used by the President to pardon people who have spent considerable periods in detention.

“However Labour party is worried about the rate of conviction bordering on high political corruption offences and we equally express our reservations about the criteria for the pardon and wondered why only VIP convicts benefitted from the privilege and excluded other ordinary and unknown Nigerians who committed the same offences due to malfeasance and recklessness of Nigeria Administration and were still languishing in our various correctional centres for years without any succour to their plight.

“Further, our party cautioned that this kind of action will further embolden political thieves and unrepentant looters of our national commonwealth.

“Consequently, we in Labour Party identify with the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC 21-day ultimatum handed over to the federal government to resolve its face-off with the four university-based unions that led to the ongoing strike.

“We are aware that public universities in the country have been closed down as a result of the strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU; Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU; Non-Academic Staff Union of Allied Educational Institutions, NASU, and National Association of Academic Technologists, NAAT.

“It’s also on record that non-teaching staff in the universities, under the umbrella of Joint Action Committee, JAC, have threatened to embark on indefinite strike over the failure of government to address the concerns they raised in about 10 letters the two unions have written to the government, drawing its attention to the last Memorandum of Action, MoA, entered freely but lamented that the government neither responded to the letters nor acknowledged them.

“We caution against action(s) aimed at killing public universities in favour of their own private universities.

“In clear terms, we agree with other stakeholders that failure of the federal government to accede to this legal demand of these Teachers is another subtle way of widening the gap between the children of the rich and the children of those made poor by present and past rulers in order to continue their Institutionalized slavery of the common man.

“Finally the five thousand naira been proposed by the BUHARI APC administration to be paid monthly to 20,000 Nigerians should be channelled to the payment of the striking teachers, payment of gratuity and pensions of retired senior citizens as there is no database for such disbursement and 2022/23 is our Election year where all actions or spending that wear fraudulent looks must be done away with as Nigerians can not and never be manipulated again.

“We see the proposed N5,000 transport grant with the fuel subsidy removal as a new gambit for 2023 in favour of the ruling party.

” We in Labour party concluded that
the proposed N5,000 monthly transport support, if carried out will justify critics in portraying the government as not been thorough in its thinking”, the statement further declared.

By Sylvanus Viashima

Jalingo (Precise Post) – The Aku Uka of Wukari kingdom in Taraba State His Majesty, Manu Ishaku Adda Ali, Amatakhitswen has commended President Muhammadu Buhari over the completion and successful test on the Kashimbila Dam that is expected to power parts of Taraba including Wukari town.

In a statement issued by the spokesperson of the royal father Jolly Agbu Masa-Ibi, after the town went agog with the first power supply from the source, the royal father said the project would boost economic activities in the area and in the long run better the lives of the people.

He called on the people to take ownership of the projects and all the assets and protect them as their own against vandals and hoodlums.

“Let me use this opportunity to commend the president for completing this project. It is important to the economic sustainability of our people and Nigeria at large. I appeal to all and sundry to safeguard electricity equipment/properties around them and to help in conserving energy by using only what they need. I urge the people to comply with prompt payment of bills to help in the smooth operation of the provider.

” Let me also appeal to the government to extend electricity to the nooks and crannies of the communities to avail this important social amenity to the people” he said.

The Project which started during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has been a long awaited dream for Tarabans who wanted electricity source that will cater for the needs of the people and be reliable.

He further commended the state Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku, who was then Minister for Power, for his immense contribution to the realization of the project, both as the then Minister of power and as state governor.

“As Governor, his commitment to the project saw his several visits to the site and close monitoring of the work at its various stages”.

By Ogechi Okorie

Jos (Precise Post) – A governorship aspirant in the 2023 general election in Plateau State, Prof. Dakas Dakas (SAN), has expressed confidence in the leadership of the newly inaugurated All Progressive Congress (APC), National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu.

Dakas said the age and experience of the brand new National Chairman will certainly count in leading the party to a victory in the 2023 general election.

The guber aspirant stated this during a courtesy visit paid to Adamu in Abuja at the weekend.

He said: “Senator Adamu-led team comprises men and women who have served the nation meritoriously in the private as well as public sectors, in consequence, I have confidence in their ability to pilot the affairs of the party to enviable heights.

“Having had the privilege of serving as a member of the party’s Constitution Amendment Committee, I am confident that the party has been repositioned to raise the bar of party administration and governance in the overall interest of its teeming members and the generality of Nigerians”, Dakas said.

… As Kolapo asked Nigerians and other members of the party to ignore Ngige.

By Chris Udochukwu

Abuja (Precise Post) – The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof Itse Sagay, has said it would be better for aspirants to resign ahead of party primaries to avoid any controversy.

He however said that as at today, there was no need for political appointees to resign before party primaries since a Federal High Court had nullified Section 84(10) of the Electoral Act.

Sagay noted that the court was right to do so as the section contravened the provisions of the constitution, which only mandates public officers to resign 30 days to general elections.

He argued that as long as the court judgment had not been overturned, the current status of the law allowed appointees to contest without resigning.

The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee, however, said it would be better for aspirants to resign ahead of the primaries to avoid any controversy.

He added, “Only one court has interpreted this law and has declared it null and void. So, as things stand, anyone who wants to contest does not need to resign ahead of the primaries.

The constitution states that any public officer who wants to contest must resign 30 days to the main election. This Section 84 of the Electoral Act in itself is an attempt to amend the constitution.

“Until the current judgment is reversed by a higher court, the judgment stands.

However, it is better for anyone willing to contest to resign now since you don’t know how the Supreme Court will rule.”

Similarly, a member of the All Progressives Congress, Kolapo has asked Nigerians and other members of the party to ignore the comments credited to the minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige.

NgIge was quoted to have said that the APC has zoned it’s presidential ticket to the south.

She said, “There is no iota of truth in such a claim as made by the minister. The party did not say anything like that. Such a claim should be ignored.

“The National Executive Committee of the APC is meeting on Wednesday. After the meeting, the party will start selling forms. There are those who are afraid of the popularity of the governor, and they are doing so by claiming so many things. But I’m sure that the APC is interested in who is going to win the election for it. The person is Bello.”

Currently, no fewer than 10 states have directed cabinet members and other political appointees, who plan to contest in the 2023 polls, to resign despite the ongoing legal battle on the clause of the Electoral Act.

Consequently, commissioners and other appointees have begun turning in their resignation letters in Kaduna, Ogun, Plateau, Bayelsa, Ondo, Rivers, Delta, Imo and Akwa Ibom states, among others.
Federal political appointees include 43 ministers, special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants and heads of government agencies.

Sagay noted that the court was right to do so as the section contravened the provisions of the constitution, which only mandates public officers to resign 30 days to general elections.

.

By Chris Udochukwu

Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The Minister of Labour, Dr Chris Ngige has said that his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) had decided to pick its presidential candidate from the South.

He stated this while speaking on his aspiration to contest the 2023 presidential election.

He said, “Make no mistake about it. It is us in the southern part of Nigeria that the presidency is due for. It’s also true that of all the zones in the southern part of Nigeria, only the South-East zone has yet to produce the President.

 “So, that gives much weight for the demand we are making now. Yes, in the PDP, they are dithering whether it will be the North or the South. In our own party as gentlemen, we have already agreed on the South.”

The former Anambra State governor explained that he decided to wait till after the Lenten season to ensure that he would have had spiritual consultation with God in order not to make mistakes about his presidential ambition.

Ngige stated, “On December 31, 2021, I told a group that after the spiritual season of Lent, I would talk; this is to enable me to consult with my God and angels and archangels. Easter is tomorrow and Easter is Resurrection Day. We shall rise with the resurrection and after Easter Monday, I will make a pronouncement on my journey to the Presidency.

“So, we have done the consultation with mortal and immortal people, and we are going to speak but make no mistake again; anything to be shared, even if they are seven, they should be shared equally. If you collect first, collect second and collect again without others collecting, that’s where the problem comes from.”

While commending the group for believing in him, Ngige said, “I am inviting you on Tuesday to Alor in Idemili South, that’s where I am going to unveil my intention for the Presidency.”

On the possibility of South-East aspirants presenting a consensus candidate, Ngige said, “The issue of consensus candidate has not arisen now. You have to wait until all the declarations have been made and when the expression of interest and nomination forms have been bought. That is the official first step on declaration.

“So, after the declaration of interest, the people will buy the forms and fill; some people will buy the forms for some people too, but that’s when the question of consensus will arise. So, when we get to that bridge, we will cross it.”

…..198 aspirants jostle for elective positions

By Chris Udochukwu

Abuja (Precise Post) – Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has said that the high number of aspirants that have indicated interest to contest in the 2023 general election in the state, has shown that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) remains the party to beat.

Engineer Sule stated this during a meeting with APC executive committee members from the local government and state, at the Government House, on Tuesday.

According to the Governor, the high number of aspirants that have so far indicated interest to contest for the state House of Assembly, House of Representatives and senate, is a good omen and shows that the people of the state are in love with the party.

Engineer Sule emphasized that for that reason, he’s not worried about the high number of aspirants turning up to contest for positions in the coming general elections.

He however appealed to the party to go about its activities in fairness to all the aspirants.

Drawing from the experience from the recently held congresses in the state, Engineer Sule noted that it’s not possible to please every aspirant but that if the party remains fair in its dealings, the aspirants will have no cause to disagree with any outcome.

“Let us be careful in the sense that so far, we have had very peaceful state. We had our registration exercise going peacefully, our congresses going peacefully. I know you can’t go through this primaries and finish peacefully.

“But if you are doing it in fairness, even if somebody is angry, he will understand that you have been fair to them. But if we come out clearly that we are not fair to somebody, the people will fight,” he stated.

Engineer Sule commended the party for taking proactive measures to regulate activities leading to the primary elections billed for next month.

“This perhaps is one of the few states we are seeing in the whole country, that the leadership of the party, even though the forms are yet to start selling, you are already thinking of how to manage the primaries. I think this is a highly commendable initiative and effort,” he said.

On the call for him to regulate activities of some of his political appointees who are seen to be taking sides with particular aspirants, Engineer Sule warned his political appointees against dropping his name to curry favour.

On his part, Engineer Sule called on the party officials to do their best not to be at the forefront of supporting any aspirant.

“I can assure you from my own end, I am not sending any political appointee.I don’t want any political appointee going out there to say it’s the Governor that sent me,” he stated.

He emphasized that neither the Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe nor the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State, Barrister Mohammed Ubandoma Aliyu, are directly or indirectly behind any aspirant.

“Let us be careful in the sense that so far, we have had very peaceful state. We had our registration exercise going peacefully, our congresses going peacefully,” the Governor said.

He used the opportunity of the meeting to update the party officials regarding the emergence of presidential aspirants under the platform of the APC, stressing the need for circumspection because the national chairman of the party is from the state.

The Governor said he doesn’t want to pass the wrong signal.

“Because for the fact that I have the national chairman in my state, the direction I go may be seen as the direction of the national chairman and it will send a wrong signal,” he said.

He pointed out that even though a lot of presidential aspirants are approaching the governors, as.far as the state is concerned Nasarawa State don’t have a direction yet.

Engineer Sule however warned that if any of his political appointees is seen with particular presidential aspirants, such appointees are on their own.

Earlier, in an opening remarks, Nasarawa State Chairman of the APC, Hon. John Mamman, said the party saw the need to meet with chairmen, secretaries and members of working commitees of the party from across all the local governments and state, with a view to generating a working data to guide the party ahead of the coming primary elections.

The state party chairman disclosed that a fallout of the meeting was the decision banning party officials from leading political campaigns of particular aspirants.

“As referees, we cannot afford to become players. Because every person looking for this position will come to the party. It’s on that note that no party official should be seen leading a campaign of another contender. Since they are going to come before us,” Hon Mamman said.

He further disclosed that, so far, 198 aspirants have shown interest to contest for the state assembly, House of Representatives and senate.

Hon. Mamman gave a breakdown of the aspirants as follows, state assembly, 163 with Akwanga 7, Awe 5, Doma 16, Keana 7, Keffi 12, Karu 23, Kokona 16, Lafia 20, Nasarawa 16, Nasarawa Eggon 17, Obi 14, Toto 5 and Wamba 5.

For the Federal House of Representatives, Northern zone has 7 for the two constituencies, Southern zone has 5, with 4 aspirants gunning for the Lafia/Obi constituency, while only one candidate has indicated interest to contest the Obi/Keana/Doma constituency.

For the senate, Northern zone has 4 aspirants, Southern zone has 2 while the Western zone has two aspirants also.

The chairman however said the figures remain tentative as sales of forms is yet to commence.

For the governorship seat, Hon Mamman indicated that only in the Northern zone, there is the possibility of a candidate emerging to contest against the incumbent.

“In all the local governments, I have asked in earnest, whether anybody has held private meetings or they heard somebody who intend to contest for governorship. I think it’s only Akwanga that is having the half,” he stated.

The state party chairman called on the governor to impress on his political appointees not to overheat the polity, stressing that there is need to carry out political activities with decorum and according to the rule of the game.

“Bearing in mind that the national chairman of our party comes from this state. You the Governor you are in APC. We have no reason why we should start quareling, in as much as we have been able to manage our internal democracy.

“I think we are good to go at the general election,” he stated.

In a vote of thanks, State Secretary of the APC, Hon. Aliyu Bello, emphasized on the need for the Governor to regulate the political activities of some of his appointees.

According to Hon Bello, political appointees and party leaders should be fair to all aspirants and that If there is need for the Governor to advice a particular aspirant, it should be behind closed doors.

“We will read the riot act for party officials from the ward, LG and state levels and to sanction any official seen as part of campaign train of any aspirant,” he said.