Katsina APC Adopts Buhari, Masari, Indirect Primaries

The Katsina state branch of the All Progressive Congress, APC, on Thursday adopted both President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Aminu Bello Masari as sole candidates for both the Presidential and Governorship elections that were scheduled to hold in 2019 at federal and state levels respectively

In a related development, the party at the state level has also adopted indirect primaries to select candidates to contest the various positions for the 2019 general elections

This decision is however seen by some stakeholders as contrary to the decision of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which approved direct primaries ahead of 2019 general election

Governor Aminu Bello Masari who announced the decisions shortly after the end of an emergency meeting of party stalwart and, APC stakeholders in the state, including the state Deputy Governor, Alh. Mannir Yakubu, at a town hall meeting, held at the Presidential Lodge, Government House, said the indirect primaries is the most convenient option available to the state, as it reduces cost, logistics and addresses any security challenges that might arise.

He said ’’indirect primaries is the most ideal for us as it is rancor free, less expensive, and addresses logistics and security challenges. Although opponents of the indirect primaries argue that it encourages corruption which I quiet admit, but it still remains the best option, within the time limit available to us’’

Also speaking, the state Chairman of the Party, Alhaji Shitu Shitu referred to the resolution of the party after its NEC’s meeting, which gave states the leverage to adapt to a system that is unique to them, adding the katsina state chapter had complied with it.

He said the “states were given three options—direct voting, indirect (delegate) system and consensus voting.

“It is based on that we in Katsina have decided to come together as critical stakeholders to endorse the option we have chosen today and it is unanimously agreed”.

Meanwhile a gubernatorial aspirant in the party, Alhaji Isa Funtua has protested the adoption of indirect primaries for the coming elections and threatened to petition the national leadership of the party

The Press secretary to the governorship aspirant, Abdullahi Usman Tumburukai, told The nation in an exclusive telephone chat that his boss, who has already obtained his nomination form yesterday, prefers the direct primaries as outlined by the national working committee of the party recently, and will oppose anything on the contrary.

He said ’’we are not scared about Masari; we are looking beyond him in our march to victory come 2019’’