Niger APC Defends Governor Bago’s Appointment of State Electoral Commission.
By Yahaya Zakka, Minna.
The Niger State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has affirmed that Governor Alhaji Mohammed Umaru Bago acted lawfully in the reconstitution of the State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC).
The move has drawn criticism from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which claims that the newly appointed members, all aligned with the APC, may be biased in overseeing local government elections.
However, the APC, through its Publicity Secretary Musa Sarkinkaji, clarified that the nominees had resigned from the APC, thus qualifying them to serve on the Commission.
“There is no aspect of the law that prevents a former party member from being nominated,” Sarkinkaji emphasized.
He further noted that past nominations within the Commission included card-carrying members from the PDP, urging the PDP to trust the integrity of the appointed individuals.
Sarkinkaji also addressed concerns regarding Engineer Jibrin Imam, the proposed chairman of the Commission, who has faced allegations of corruption, suggesting that he seek legal recourse for any damage to his reputation caused by the PDP’s accusations.
As the state awaits the screening of these nominees, the APC expressed confidence in their ability to conduct fair and peaceful local government elections, urging collective support for their success.
