From Ibrahim Sidi Muh’d, Gusau
The Chairman Committee of the APC National Assembly Primary Elections in Zamfara State, Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, has assured party members, aspirants and the general public of a free, fair, and credible elections scheduled to hold Monday (today).
Addressing journalists in Gusau, the state capital, the committee Chairman, said the 7-man committee was in the state to monitored the due preparations for the primaries slated for Monday, the 18th, in line with the directive of the party’s national headquarters.
Awwal Aliyu, informed that the national leadership of the APC has constituted committees across various states to ensure transparent conduct of the primaries, noting that Zamfara is among the states where the exercise will be held.
The Chairman further opined that, they are in the state to exercise the mandate given to them by the national headquarters particularly the conduct of the scheduled primary elections with a view to ensuring it is free, fair, credible, grudges-free, and acceptable to all aspirants, stakeholders and the party.
He assured aspirants and their supporters that the committee would operate strictly within the law and the party’s constitution, emphasizing to be neutral and to offer equal opportunity for all contestants.
“We will not take side in discharging our duty. We will not be influenced by any individual or group. Our responsibility is to ensure justice and fairness for every aspirant,” he insisted.
He also explained reasons for rescheduling of the primaries in the state, attributing the delay to ongoing consultations among key political stakeholders in the state.
According to him, the extension granted by the party’s national leadership was to provide room for dialogue and possible consensus among aspirants.
He noted that if consensus fails, the committee would proceed with the primary election as planned.
The Chairman dismissed any claim by any group for being the committee assigned to Zamfara State to conduct the primaries, saying, such claims are empty, and warned party members to disregard any self appointed committee to conduct elections.
“Only committee that is officially constituted and recognized by the APC national headquarters has the mandate to conduct the exercise.
“Any committee not appointed and duly communicated by the national leadership of the party is null and void. We are the authentic committee, and we are here to carry out our assignment without fear or favour,” he warned.
The Chairman further disclosed that, while the issue of alleged unauthorized committees had not been reported to security agencies, it had been formally communicated to the party’s national headquarters, which has since taken appropriate steps, including notifying the state government of the legitimate committee.
He reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to conducting peaceful and transparent primaries for National Assembly positions, including both Senate and House of Representatives seats.
