APC youths protest appointment of Niger SSG

All Progressives Congress (APC) youths in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger State have protested the appointment of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Shehu Umaru Danyaya, accusing him of being a card-carrying member of the People Democratic Party (PDP).

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello had announced the appointment of some principal officers, which included the SSG but this was greeted with protest by the youths, who argued that due diligence was not carried out before his appointment.

They accused the SSG, Alhaji Shehu Umar Danyaya of being a card-carrying member of the Peoples D‎emocratic Party (PDP) and wondered why the governor should consider him for a sensitive post like the Secretary to the State Government.

The youths stormed the APC Secretariat in Kontagora as early as 11 a.m. holding some party officials hostage for hours before they were directed by party officials to take their grievances and complains to either the party chairman or the governor.

They also complained that those of them that have been in the opposition for the past 16 years were sidelined.

The youths stated that it is unfair to the APC for the governor to reward a PDP stalwart with such a big appointment, especially someone that has victimized them for the past 16 years.

In his reaction to the development, the Niger State APC Chairman, Engineer Mohammed Imam said he is not aware of any protest about appointments so far made by the governor, adding that everything is in order as far as the party was concerned.

He however, stated that the appointment of the SSG is an appointment based solely on the decision of the governor and not of the party.
According to him, “the appointment is one that is taken by the governor, it is a minor appointment and not political.”
Imam said that if there was such protest, it is because the youths are not aware of it and that they are being instigated.
He said that when it is time to make appointments politically, he is sure that the governor would take the right steps.