By Zaharaddeen Ishaq Abubakar | KatsinaTimes
Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from five local government areas in Daura Emirate of Katsina State have rejected alleged moves to impose candidates, insisting on strict adherence to the party’s established procedures.
The stakeholders, drawn from Zango, Baure, Mai’adua, Sandamu and Daura, made their position known at a closed-door meeting held on Saturday.
They alleged that a few political office holders were promoting certain aspirants and claiming they had the backing of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda.
A former National Legal Adviser of the APC, Barrister Usman Ahmed El-Marzuk, who spoke at the meeting, dismissed the claims, saying the governor had not endorsed any candidate.
He said the governor had consistently maintained that candidates should emerge either through consensus or a democratic contest in line with party guidelines.
El-Marzuk warned that attempts to sidestep due process could create divisions within the party and give an advantage to opposition parties.
“The APC provides for consensus or open contest. Any attempt to impose candidates will not be accepted,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Daura Local Government Area, Bala Musa Daura, urged party members to disregard the claims, stressing that the governor had not directed the emergence of any aspirant.
He said the rumours were already causing concern among supporters and called for calm.
Other stakeholders at the meeting backed the position, insisting that each local government should be allowed to decide its candidates in line with the party’s tradition.
The meeting was attended by several party leaders and stakeholders from across the emirate.
Participants resolved to continue consultations to resist any attempt to impose candidates and ensure compliance with party procedures.
They also agreed to set up a committee to engage Governor Radda on the issue.
