Politics

Groups raise alarm over plots to subvert APC Primaries in Zamfara

Published

3 years ago

May 17, 2022

Ahead of party primaries preparatory for 2023 general elections, a group, APC Youth Solidarity Network (APCYSN) and the Guardian of Democracy and Development Initiative (GoDDI) have petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over plots by some forces in Zamfara state to subvert the primary election of the ruling party in the state.

The groups in a joint petition submitted to the office of the Chairman, INEC and copied the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police, Director-General, Department of State Security service as well as US, UK Embassies and the UN Resident Coordinator, Nigeria said except action is taken immediately many aspirants in Zamfara would be disenfranchised.

The petitioned signed by Mr. Danesi Momoh for APC Youth Solidarity Network and Mallam. Suleiman Musa of the Guardian of Democracy and Development Initiative respectively maintained that the groups have established beyond doubts that delegates to the party primaries have already been handpicked by those hell-bent on imposing candidates against the wishes of the people.

“We have uncovered grand plot by antidemocratic forces in Zamfara State to disenfranchise aspirants from participating in the All Progressives Congress (APC) scheduled party primaries in Zamfara State in clear contravention of the provision of Section 84 of the Nigerian Electoral Act 2022 on Nomination of Candidates by Parties.

“There are incontrovertible evidence that the provision of the Nigerian Electoral Act 2022, All Progressives Congress (APC) Constitution (March 2022 as amended) and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are being abuse in order to muscle out other aspirants to pave way for anointed candidates as if we are practicing monarchial system of government as opposed to democracy.

“We have established beyond reasonable doubts that delegates to party primaries have already been handpicked (selected) by those who are hell-bent on imposing candidates against the collective will of the Zamfara State Citizens in clear violations of extant laws and statues governing conducts of party primaries as enshrined in All Progressives Congress (APC) Constitution, Nigerian Electoral Act 2022 and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As it stands today, Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State and his co-travelers has already allocated all elective seats that are to be contested at the primaries to their known political associates, friends and families ahead of the date of the primaries in brazen display of anti democratic ethos.

“Consequently, it goes without saying that Zamfara State All Progressives Congress (APC) has not learnt any lesson on the 2019 flawed All Progressives Congress (APC) Primaries that led to the disqualifications of all APC Candidates and their victory was truncated by the judgment of the Supreme Court that voided the primary election and the purported election was nullified. It is obvious that All Progressives Congress (APC) Zamfara State is on familiar journey to self INFLICTED destruction.

“We demand that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as an unbiased umpire to closely monitor conducts and proceedings of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State and other states with similar tendencies to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the laws with regards to party primaries and nomination of candidates so as to deepened democratic governance.

“Your intervention is most needed to ensure that All Progressives Congress (APC) and your commission do not run foul of the law by allowing anti democratic element to desecrate our democracy. We will not hesitate to explore all avenues to seek redress including but not limited to instituting legal action against the commission and the All Progressives Congress (APC) should you failed to act on this matter”, the petitioned noted.

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Agriculture

Farmer/herder clashes: Lawmaker seeks implementation of extant laws on ranching

Published

2 weeks ago

March 4, 2025

The Gleamer

A member of House of Representatives, Nnamdi Ezechi, has advocated for strict implementation of extant laws prohibiting open grazing in the states.

Ezechi stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja while reacting to the recent killing of a member of a vigilance group in his constituency, Mr Ogonegbu Chukwunomnazu.

The lawmaker, representing Ndokwa East/Ndokwa West and Ukwuani in the lower legislative chamber, while condemning the killing, reiterated the imperatives of implementing extant laws on open grazing by states.

He urged the Inspector-General of Police to help fish out the killers of his constituent and bring them to justice.

“I call on the I-GP to rise up to the occasion by apprehending those behind the killing of the vigilante member.

“I also expect the police and other security agencies to help implement laws by various states, including Delta, that prohibit open grazing and provide for cattle ranching,” he said.

According to him, it is wrong for people to cause disadvantage to others with their own businesses.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lawmaker had earlier raised the matter through a motion of urgent national importance on the floor of the house.

NAN also reports that the Speaker, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, had also called on the inspector-general of police and other security agencies to swing into action on the matter.
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