Borno APC aspirants petition Buhari, Oshiomhole over alleged irregularities

No fewer than 10 of the 21 aspirants in the Borno State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries have petitioned the National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, calling for its cancellation for not adhering to guidelines.

In the petition, a copy of which was sent to President Muhammadu Buhari, the aspirants complained that the primary fell short of their expectations, declaring that neither the guidelines nor the party’s constitution were observed.

The 10 signatories to the petition are, Baba Ahmed Jidda, Kashim Imam, Gambo Lawan, Mohammed Kumaila and Umar Alkali. Others are Attom Magira, Abba Jato, Mohammed Chiroma, Mustapha Shehuri and Idris Mamman.

“We wish to bring to the attention of the party the following infractions, which have compromised the integrity and the credibility of the process, and have eventually disenfranchised majority of the aspirants.

“The list of delegates was not given to any of the aspirants up to the time of the primaries, which is a fundamental requirement for the conduct of primaries.

The delegates were hooded in locations not accessible to all aspirants except the preferred aspirant.

“The electoral committee sent to Maiduguri to conduct the primaries was lodged at Government House and did not meet with the aspirants to inform them of the procedures for the election.

“Chairman of the party in the state summoned about 13 aspirants out of the 21 to announce that Governor Kashim Shettima has anointed one Professor Babagana Umara Zulum as the candidate for the primaries.

“This is against the spirit of the party’s responsibility to promote a level-playing field for all aspirants and be fair, just and impartial,” the petition reads.

They also alleged that all gubernatorial aspirants were denied movement to address delegates the night before election, except the governor and his preferred aspirant by imposing a curfew in spite of the fact that police escorts were attached to all the aspirants to facilitate their movement.

They, therefore, demanded that the exercise should be suspended and a new date fixed for the primary election.