Malami warns Kebbi APC against imposing candidates in council poll

•Aspirants in Benue protest against selection

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami has warned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State against imposing candidates in the upcoming local council poll.

Malami gave the warning yesterday after a stakeholders meeting in Birnin Kebbi, following the adoption of July 15 for the election. He urged the party to allow local councils to freely nominate their candidates, so that the peace that currently exists in the party should be allowed to flourish.

The APC state’s Chairman, Attahiru Maccido promised that the party would not impose candidates on the people, but offer the electorate an opportunity to make their choice.

Also, Senator Adamu Aliero appealed to the government to give the prospective chairmen the full statutory allocations meant for their councils’ development. The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Samaila Kamba enjoined members to demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship to foster the party’s unity.

In Benue State, some chairmanship aspirants on the APC’s platform have protested against what they described as “Undue imposition of candidates on the people by the party’s leadership in the state.”

The aspirants who were at the gate to the Deputy Governor’s office, Benson Abounu, alleged that the party’s leadership had deliberately planned to impose some candidates on the people and throw them out of the race.

The aspirants, who could not meet with the deputy governor at the Government House, Makurdi are Chris Abari, Emmanuel Dagah, Anthony Zungwega, Alex Dyegeh and Dennis Depuun.

They lamented that they had earlier purchased nomination forms two years ago before the election was suspended. But the Secretary of the APC’s Screening Committee, Mr. Mark Hanmation explained that a level playing field had been provided for all candidates.

He added that some consensus candidates had been chosen in some council areas. Meanwhile, members of the Concerned Citizens of Biu Emirate (CCBE) in Borno State yesterday passed a vote of no confidence in Muktari Betara, representing Biu/Shani/ Kwaya Kusar/Bayo Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.

A spokesman for the members said their complaint was Batara’s failure to reconstruct the abandoned 120-kilometre Biu-Gomberoad and complete Biu Dam project.