By Khalid Idris Doya
Some supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State have rejected any alleged move to impose a candidate ahead of the party's governorship primary election, insisting on a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process.
Speaking during a visit to the hotel where the party's electoral committee was reportedly staying to seek clarification over the conduct of the primary election, an APC stakeholder, Musa Buba Mohammed, popularly known as "Civilian General," said party members would not accept any attempts by a few individuals to impose a candidate instead of allowing a democratic contest.
He stressed that democracy must reflect the collective will of party members rather than the interests of a select group of individuals.
According to him, the major demand of APC supporters in Bauchi State is the conduct of a transparent and credible primary capable of producing candidate genuinely accepted by party members and people across the state.
"We are here to register our grievances because democracy is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, not a government designed for a selected few," he stated.
Musa noted that although the primary election had earlier been postponed from Thursday to Friday, party members still remained hopeful that the rescheduled exercise would be conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.
He maintained that party supporters were only seeking for justice and fairness, expressing confidence that aspirant Nura Manu Soro would emerge victorious if a credible process was allowed to take place.
He also appealed to APC leaders and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure justice and fairness for party members in Bauchi State.
According to him, supporters were informed that the primaries in Bauchi and Kwara states had been postponed, adding that the development had generated suspicion and concern among party faithful.
"What we want is a peaceful, free, fair, and credible primary election. We do not want imposition. That is our only demand," he added.
The APC chieftain further questioned the reason behind the postponement of the primaries in Bauchi suggesting that the situation had raised concerns among party supporters.
"Why was the election postponed? There must be reasons behind it. Other states conducted their primaries, but Bauchi and Kwara were postponed. That is why many people are beginning to suspect foul play," he said.
He urged the party leadership to uphold democratic principles, citing the emergence of President Tinubu through a competitive electoral process rather than through consensus arrangements.
"The President emerged through the ballot, not through consensus. That is the same democratic process we are demanding here in Bauchi," he stated.
On the possibility of party members defecting if the process failed to meet expectations, Musa insisted that loyal APC members would continue to work for the success and unity of the party despite their grievances.
Also speaking, Comrade Abdul’Aziz Nasrullah said Bauchi State deserves credible candidates who truly represent the interests of the people rather than individuals allegedly imposed by powerful interests for selfish reasons.
He reaffirmed the commitment of APC supporters to ensuring justice, transparency, and credibility in the party's governorship primary process in Bauchi State.
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