Laleye Dipo in Minna
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday endorsed President Muhammad Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo as well as the Niger state Governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello and his deputy Ahmed Mohammad Ketso for second term in office.
The endorsement was announced at the “Unity Rally” held by the party at the trade fair complex in Minna the Niger state capital where the National Chairman of the party billed to be special guest of honour was absent.
The state chairman of the party Alhaji Jibrin Imam who announced the endorsement while addressing party supporters at the rally said the state APC would support the president and the Governor to ensure they won the election in 2019.
Imam narrated the achievements of those endorsed especially in the area of fight against insurgency, improvement of the economy and boost in agriculture.
However, some members of the state house of assembly staged a walk out from the rally, fueling speculations that all was not well between the executive and the lawmakers.
The lawmakers were seen entering the bus that conveyed them to the rally, a white Toyota Coaster with registration Number 07NGHA at about 3.00pm when the governor was still on seat. Some local government chairmen also left the rally venue for unknown reasons.
The rally also witnessed the defection of some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) among them the suspended state Deputy Chairman of the party Alhaji Aminu Yussuf.
Addressing the party faithful Governor Bello stressed a need for the entrenchment of party supremacy for democracy to thrive.
The Governor, who welcomed the decampees to the APC, advised them to ensure compliance with the party structure by recognising and adhering to the principle of party Supremacy.
“The cohesion, progress and unity we are witnessing in Niger State, APC today are products of strict adherence to party supremacy. We have and we respect party Supremacy here and I am glad that the caliber of people coming back to the family are experienced party men.
“I want to advice that you all go back to your wards and build strong and cordial relationship. You are all party men, go to the wards and romance with our members and possibly massage them, as you come to share your experience and help to further build a strong party in the state,†the governor said.
Some members of the national assembly were conspicuously absent at the rally.
