A break-away executive members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State has written to the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole, endorsing the decision of the party to conduct direct primaries for all elective posts.
This came against the backdrop of the decision at a stakeholders’ forum by another faction of the party led by the state Governor Jubrilla Bindow to the effect that it had adoped indirect model for the conduct of primaries for elective offices in the state.
That forum was attended by Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha.
In separate letters addressed to the national chairman on Tuesday, the stakeholders and some aspirants insisted on direct primaries.
The letter by the factional leadership was signed by the faction’s chairman, Comrade Dumas Ezra, and its Publicity Secretary, Usman Ibrahim.
The other letter was written by seven members of the party who described themselves as stakeholders and aspirants.
Among its signatories are the Senator representing Adamawa North, Senator Abubakar Mohammed Mo’Allayidi, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal and APC gubernatorial aspirants which included Marcus Gundiri, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Dr. Mahmoud Halilu, as well as Senator Abubakar Girei and Senator Bello Tukur.
In their letter, the stakeholders argued in favour of direct primaries, saying it would foster democracy and discourage underhand dealings in the conduct of the primaries.
“As democrats, we found the decision cheering and encouraging and we are therefore shocked that anybody who lays claim to democracy or desire to lead the people would find the decision to let the people decide as a threat or discomforting.”
