APGA wants Almakura to obey court order on council poll

It is no longer news that most of the governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are either shying away from conducting council polls or whenever they did, the process is usually predetermined.

This has informed the Nasarawa State chapter of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), to call on Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura, to obey court order and conduct council elections in the state.

The state chairman of APGA, Mr. Musa Saidu, who spoke to the media, recently insisted that the governor must adhere to the judgment of the court in order to ensure peace and stability.

Saidu advised the state government to set machinery in motion and release money to the Nasarawa State Electoral Commission (NASEIC) to conduct the polls within the next few months.

He said the Constitution of Nigeria does not recognise the appointment of caretaker or interim committee to run the affairs of the local government level.

“The court has done its job and the decision should be respected by all citizens, especially leaders,” he said.

It would be recalled that the Nasarawa State High Court recently dissolved the Interim Management Committee Chairmen (IMCC) of all the local governments in the state and ordered the government to conduct elections into the councils within 140 days.

The APGA chairman also hinted that the party has zoned the 2019 governorship ticket to Nasarawa North, following the call for zoning by various interest groups and stakeholders.

“Following the demands of the people of Nasarawa North Senatorial district to produce the next governor in 2019, leadership of our party has zoned it to Nasarawa north.

“Since 1999, the other two zones in the state have produced the governor except Nasarawa North.

“Nasarawa West produced the governor from 1999 to 2007 and Nasarawa South produced from 2007 to date, it would therfoore be fair for the Northern zone to produce next governor,” Saidu said.

He said APGA was the party that believes in justice, equity and fairness just as exemplified by its slogan “be your brothers and sisters’ keeper.’’

He further appealed to the party followers to remain calm and be law abiding even in the face of the current economic recession.