BY KHALID IDRIS DOYA, Bauchi
The unpleasant phenomenon which greeted the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi state prior to the conduct of the 2019 general elections that culminated some party members engaged in anti-party activities is likely to rear its ugly heads again in 2023 polls.
An unprecedented number of APC faithful in the state however Wednesday warned against what they described as planned selection of a gubernatorial candidate among the many as against the laid down procedure of conducting primaries to allow for the emergence of elected candidate for the polls.
A group of aggrieved APC members in Bauchi led by one party faithful, Abubakar Umar drew the attention of party leadership at both state and national levels to forestall against the reoccurrence of the 2019 ugly electoral episode that made the party not to clinch the governorship seat.
Umar said, “We have just met and decisively resolve to draw the attention of APC leadership at both the state and national levels against the selection of a gubernatorial flag-bearer for the party ahead of the 2023 elections. Such an act would spell doom for the APC in the state”.
The group leader who holds the traditional title of Danmalikin Tauya said that as bonafide members of the party right through its formative stages of APP, ANPP, CPC and now APC, explained that they were advising leaders of the party at all levels for the sake of God to shun the planned selection of installing a governorship candidate for the party.
He added, “The common man, the down-trodden masses in the state are strongly in support of the APC as the party of their choice to steer the ship of Bauchi state after the 2023 general elections, hence their resolve to take necessary measures to guard against the failure of the party in elections.
“We have the firm belief that the common man is in good hold of the APC at heart. The fact that party leaders have paved way for the smooth, free and fair elections of party delegates, for God’s sake let them allow delegates to elect a qualified gubernatorial flag-bearer for the party. If delegates are allowed to elect a candidate, we would vigorously campaign for the party until victory is assured”, they positioned.
Abubakar Danmalikin Tauya however warned that should party leaders turned deep ears to install their puppet candidate for the forthcoming governorship polls, the aggrieved party members would be forced to take a different stand or way of politicking.
Danmalikin Tauya therefore strongly advised the State APC Chairman, Babayo Aliyu Misau to convey their grievances to the national leadership of the party on this issue at stake.
“Taking to the contrary or going by self-centredness, the party and its leadership may regret for the action. This is our resolve, it is our concern, and we would strongly abide by it”, Umar forewarned.
