News Investigators/ A civil society organisation, Nasarawa State Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance Group (NS-TA&G2), has called on Nsarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule to review his stance on endorsing a preferred governorship aspirant ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries.
The group made the call in a press statement by its Chairman, Lazarus Salaki, on Tuesday in Lafia.
Mr Salaki said that the appeal became necessary in view of growing concerns over “anointing” of a preferred governorship candidate for the APC in the state without broad-based consultation.
He noted that while the governor, as leader of the party in the state, had the prerogative to guide its direction, the process leading to the emergence of a consensus candidate must strictly adhere to democratic principles and existing guidelines.
According to him, the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) provides for only direct primaries or consensus, stressing that consensus can only be valid where all cleared aspirants voluntarily withdraw and endorse a single candidate in writing.
“Consensus, in its true sense, requires the agreement of all contestants. Where any aspirant declines to withdraw, the party is obligated to conduct direct primaries rather than impose a candidate,” he said.
Mr Salaki expressed concern that the current approach could be perceived as imposition, warning that it might undermine internal democracy, suppress healthy competition and heighten tensions within the party.
He said the group was particularly worried that the process leading to the endorsement of a preferred aspirant by the governor did not appear to involve adequate consultation with other aspirants and key stakeholders.
The chairman queried the level of engagement preceding the decision, as well as the timing of presenting the preferred aspirant to the presidency.
He cautioned that a rushed anointing of an aspirant without inclusivity could expose the party to internal disputes, litigation and possible disunity ahead of the general elections.
While acknowledging the governor’s intention to reduce conflict within the party, Salaki advised that such objectives could be better achieved through transparent and participatory mechanisms.
He cited the example of consultative structures in a state like Lagos, where stakeholders collectively agree on a candidate, noting that such frameworks were yet to be fully developed in Nasarawa State.
The group, therefore, urged Mr Sule to take an introspective view of the situation and reopen consultations with all aspirants and stakeholders to arrive at an amicable resolution.
It also called on the state chairman of the party to step aside to ensure neutrality, alleging that his perceived alignment with the preferred aspirant could erode confidence in the process.
“The continued stay of the chairman in office under the current circumstances may lead to mistrust, acrimony and discourage other qualified aspirants from participating in the process,” Salaki added.
The group reiterated the need for fairness, equity and transparency to safeguard party unity and strengthen democratic practice in the state.
NAN
