Former Vice-President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku Abubakar, has said that the APC would ensure an open and fair contest among all its members vying for the party’s ticket, ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
Atiku, who spoke with some newsmen shortly after his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Tuesday, noted that it was important that the APC makes the Adamawa election a case study in political transparency through effective application of the party’s internal democracy mechanism before, during and post-election periods.
According to him, given the fact the APC is a party to beat in Adamawa state and that all the contenders for the party’s ticket are his political allies, it is imperative on him, as a democrat and law-abiding party man and leader, to remain neutral in the primaries and allow due process to be followed.
“The governorship election is very crucial to the electioneering future and fortune of Nigerian politics. This is the more reason why the APC wants to re-build the country equitably, fairly and justly. I have always been an advocate of internal democracy in political party system and now is the time to practice what we preach. Only a level-playing field can sustain and maintain unity, security and prosperity for all and sundry,” the Turakin Adamawa said.
He continued: “APC is the party to beat in Adamawa state; and all the contenders for the party’s ticket are my close political associates; therefore, it is imperative for me to ensure a high sense of neutrality in this situation and allow the followership of the party take a decision on who should be their candidate.
“The culture of imposition of candidates and its concomitant impunity is now old fashioned and unacceptable in our democracy. You may recall that I have been in the vanguard of safeguarding true democracy by challenging obstacles to justice and fair-play in the past. I even went to court severally to protect our hard-won political freedom. I will continue to lead with others in the race to unseat this inept and incompetent PDP maladministration which has thrown Nigerians into an era of depression, frustration and desperation.”
Speaking on the dismissal of the impeachment plot against Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa state by the panel constituted by the state’s Chief Judge, the former VP said this was a real life vindication of the APC as a party of the people that creates and cherishes good governance.
