Two aspirants would slug it with the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello as All Progressives Congress (APC) opted for a direct primary for its governorship and other positions ahead of 2019 elections.
The Secretary of the Party, Barrister Mohammed Alhaji Liman disclosed at a press briefing on Wednesday in Minna that two persons, Alhaji Abubakar Katcha and Malam Mahmud Sani indicated interest in the one seat on Tuesday thereby binging to three the number of aspirants in the race.
He said the Party resolved after its State Executive Council (SEC) meeting to adopt the option of a direct primary for its governorship aspirants and all other elective officers in the state.
“In line with the resolution of the National Working Committee (NWC) that presidential primary should be direct primary and that every state chapter should meet and adopt either direct, indirect or consensus based on their peculiarity, APC in Niger state met with stakeholders and aspirants over the option to adopt.
“The SEC afterward met and deliberated on each of the option and resolved unanimously that direct primaries should be adopted”, he explained.
He said the direct primary option would give every member of the party the opportunity to have a say on who flies the party’s flag, adding that the decision was in consonance with the party’s quest to entrench internal democracy.
On whether the party would respect the existing zoning arrangement which allows for rotation of governorship among the three senatorial districts, he explained that it recognizes the gentleman agreement even though the party’s constitution does not envisage same, but also decided to provide a level playing field for interested aspirants to test their popularity.
