There Won’t Be Zoning in ADC Presidential Primaries, States Ex-Kaduna Gov, El-Rufai

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has declared that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) would not adopt zoning or any form of consensus arrangement in its presidential primary ahead of the next year’s general election.

Speaking on Trust Tv, El-Rufai said the party was committed to conducting free, fair, and transparent exercise, where all aspirants would be given equal opportunity to contest without pressure, imposition, or forced withdrawal.

El-Rufai disclosed that the ADC leadership was at the moment working on its manifesto and policy platform, while also engaging prospective presidential, governorship, and other aspirants to build internal unity ahead of the primaries.

“At the top level, we are preparing our manifesto and our platform. We are also working on getting our presidential aspirants, governorship aspirants, and other aspirants to come together and agree on a process that will guarantee free and fair primaries,” he said.

According to him, the party has resolved that no zoning arrangement would be applied and that no aspirant would be compelled to step down in favour of another.

“There will be no zoning, no consensus, and no forcing anyone to step down. Everyone will be given the opportunity to contest, and whoever wins will be supported by all,” El-Rufai stated.

He also dismissed claims that the ADC lacked grassroots support, insisting that the party’s growing influence sas evident across the country.

“If you don’t think the ADC has grassroots support, ask some members of the National Assembly to go to their constituencies without gathering soldiers and police to guard them,” he added.