Idris Ahmed, Lokoja.
Following the declaration and official fixing of the date for election into the local government councils by the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC), Kogi Sate APC Executive Council, has advised that all political office holders and civil servants wishing to contest any position either as Chairman or Councillor should resign so as to provide a level playing ground.
The Vice Chairman of APC, Kogi West, Hon. Abdulrahman Ibrahim Akabu, in an interview with Journalists in Lokoja on Thursday, said the State Executive Council of the party has been known for the observance of internal democracy whereby primary elections were allowed especially in unresolved situations.
“At the appropriate time all persons holding political appointments shall resign and buy forms for the party primary election.” He stated.
According to the Vice Chairman, the APC is known to be observing its rules and guidelines in the selection of its flagbearers, just as the leader of the party and the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello went through to pick APC ticket.
“It was the Governor’s victory at the primary election that gave the APC edge over other political parties including PDP at the general elections. Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello was a popular candidate loved by electorate, hence he won both the primary and general elections.” He said.
He recalled that the ruling party went through primary elections in 2015 to produce the present administration and in 2019 the Congress voted in favour of the leader inspire of several interested party bigwigs that challenged him at the primaries.
The Vice Chairman who was reacting to speculations that the APC has already lined up winners of the December 12 election, clarified that as Progressives such undemocratic ideas can not be allowed
Therefore, we have no doubt that this Local Government council election shall be held to produce popular and acceptable candidate for the Chairmanship and Councillorship positions in all the local government areas of the state.
On the Kogi Local Government Area, Hon Akabu explained that all elections were usually preceded by primary elections so as to give level playing ground to all aspirants.
He assured party members that the state working committee of the party will stand out among other states in ensuring democratic processes of the local government primary election.
