The All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in Plateau State has been cautioned against tolerating the imposition of candidates or forced consensus in the coming ward, local government and state congresses of the party to avoid any crisis that may affect the chances of the party in the 2023 general elections.
Speaking to journalists in Jos the Plateau State capital on the coming party exercises a seasoned politician and staunch member of the party from Wase local government area, Alh. Dahiru Ibrahim (a.k.a Sparrow) said: “we are stakeholders with a sincere democratic mission in the APC. We have to caution our party leadership at this stage to block all loopholes that may warrant creating any faction or litigations as the final option at the disposal of those that may be shortchanged or denied a level playing ground in the coming congresses.
“We have experienced series of impositions and twists within the party that we tolerated and we are now are aware of certain plans by some members to use money and influence to impose candidates of their choice from ward – local government and to the state during congress on the party which shall be definitely be resisted constitutionally. Party affairs cannot be allowed to always be twisted by a minute few for selfish interest. We are into politics to contribute positively to the welfare of our suffering people. We are neither sycophants nor praise singers to the powers that be. We are not moved or disturbed by the plan but we are cautioning the party leadership against allowing such a plan to succeed because we are also determined from our end to counter with political maturity.
“We are for free and fair congress as stipulated in the party constitution because of the commitment of our association to the success of the party at the 2023 elections that remain unshakable. We should be mindful of the fact that by 2023, our governor will constitutionally exit and opposition may give a good fight at that trying moment to wrest power from our hands.
“Since zoning of all offices has been in practice since 1999, we remain committed to its continuity for sanity to prevail. Based on that agreement, it is now the time for Kadarko or Lamba district to produce the next candidate for the House of Representatives election while Bashar district should have the slot for local government party chairman as Wase district should be given the slot for the State House of Assembly contest. Local government council chairmanship slot should also be zoned to either Kadarko or Lamba districts.
In the present dispensation, Bashar district has enjoyed its share of the spoils of the election because it has the House of Representatives member since 2007 to date and an honorable commissioner in the state executive council. As for the commissionership slot, it is the turn of Wase or Kadarko district in the equation if the gubernatorial election is won by the party.
“From the ongoing arrangement, Wase district was the first to produce the candidate for the House of Representatives election in 1999. Bashar took over in 2007 to date. Next should be either be Kadarko or Lamba because the two other districts have enjoyed the highest elective office in the local government. Ideally, Kadarko should have the slot in the absence of a competent contestant from Lamba. That is the most ideal arrangement that can foster unity and better service to the people anchored on equity and justice.
“As stakeholders, we shall not accept or subscribe to any imposition or continuity as rumored and we are prepared to defend the ideals of democracy as constitutionally allowed without rancor or unruly behavior”.
“The coast should be clear for healthy primary election within the districts. Each district should have the power to elect its zoned candidates for submission to the centre for adoption for the general elections. The practice of general congress to elect candidates in most cases breeds incompetence, imposition and corruption. Each district should be allowed to hold its quasi primary to ease tension” he said.
