Taraba North aspirant Kabiru Bello Bandawaire has rejected the APC consensus arrangement, demanding direct primaries and warning against executive interference
The All Progressives Congress aspirant for the Taraba North Senatorial District, Kabiru Bello Bandawaire, officially rejected the proposed consensus arrangement for the party’s upcoming primaries.
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Speaking to members of the press in Jalingo, the candidate insisted that only a direct and transparent primary election would satisfy the democratic aspirations of the electorate in the northern zone.
The politician argued that his ambition is firmly rooted in the interests of the people rather than the preferences of the state administration. Kabiru Bello Bandawaire warned that the adoption of a consensus candidate serves to undermine core democratic principles and creates an environment of exclusion within the party hierarchy.
A formidable point of contention raised during the briefing centered on the financial independence of the political process. The aspirant noted that he and other candidates had purchased nomination forms for N20,000,000 each, asserting that the party possesses sufficient internal resources to fund a direct primary without external government assistance.
Addressing the broader political climate in the state, Kabiru Bello Bandawaire cautioned Governor Agbu Kefas against any form of interference in the internal affairs of the All Progressives Congress. He maintained that the executive should remain neutral, allowing party members the freedom to choose their representative through an open ballot rather than an imposed agreement.
The aspirant also questioned the motives of high-ranking incumbents who appear to favor the consensus model over a competitive electoral contest. He challenged the logic of avoiding a primary when the general election will inevitably require a popular vote, suggesting that any fear of a transparent internal contest indicates a lack of confidence in one’s standing with the party base.
In a direct challenge to the feasibility of the current proposal, the candidate suggested that the governor test the consensus logic by asking the sitting three-term senator to step down in his favor. He argued that if the incumbent would not agree to such a sacrifice, it remains unjust to expect other contenders to withdraw from the race before the members have spoken.
As the primary season approaches, the demand for direct engagement highlights the growing tension between grassroots candidates and established party stakeholders.
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The decision on which electoral format the party eventually adopts is expected to have significant implications for its unity and performance in the forthcoming general elections.
