Ahead of the much-anticipated primaries in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abba Kabir Yusuf has declared that no automatic tickets will be granted to aspirants seeking elective positions in the party in Kano.

Consequently, Governor Yusuf disclosed that the party has adopted a consensus arrangement at the constituency level to facilitate the emergence of popular candidates across all elective positions.

The governor revealed the party’s decision during an expanded stakeholders’ meeting held Thursday evening at Government House in Kano.

Contrary to speculations about automatic tickets, Yusuf asserted the party’s resolution to jettison the idea to ensure a level playing field for all aspirants, while also promoting consensus as a convenient option for mutual benefit.

He further stated that constituencies have been given a four-day ultimatum for aspirants and stakeholders to reconcile and produce consensus candidates. The Governor, however, maintained that primaries would become unavoidable if reconciliation fails.

The governor appealed to aspirants and stakeholders to maintain peace, demonstrate understanding, and exhibit maturity during the consensus process. He urged them to avoid actions capable of triggering crisis and disunity within the party.

“I want to use this opportunity to thank you all for your contributions to the party and the state government. This meeting is historic, considering our shared interests. Today, we are practising politics of decorum, sincerity, and development.

“This meeting is important as we discuss strategies for approaching the upcoming general elections from top to bottom. All necessary provisions are in place; we only need to present credible candidates and face the challenges ahead. We need members’ understanding and trust to ensure that the primary elections remain orderly.

“However, we prefer not to conduct primaries but to adopt consensus. APC governors have been directed by the President to return to their states and ensure the emergence of consensus candidates to ease tension. We are already behind schedule across the 44 local government areas, so time is limited.

“Stakeholders have been given four days to resolve issues and produce consensus candidates. There will be no automatic tickets. We want all our candidates to emerge through consensus. Stakeholders should return to their constituencies, reconcile, and produce candidates of their choice,” Yusuf said.

The immediate past National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, applauded stakeholders for their loyalty and support, and called for full backing of the party’s decision.

Ganduje reminded stakeholders that internal crises during primaries are common, but urged them to embrace reconciliation mechanisms in order to maintain unity. He assured commitment to the “Kano First” agenda of the state government in the interest of growth and prosperity.

In their separate reactions, stakeholders at the expanded caucus meeting expressed satisfaction with the consensus arrangement and pledged to return to their local governments and constituencies to produce preferred candidates.

The meeting attracted serving members of the National Assembly from Kano, members of the State House of Assembly, members of the State Executive Council, the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), former commissioners, and other key party members.

Meanwhile, the Deputy President of the Senate and Senator representing Kano North Senatorial District, Barau I. Jibrin, was conspicuously absent from the meeting.

Also absent was the Minister of State for Housing, Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata.