Niger APC ,Government Opt for Consensus Candidates in Local Government Elections.
From Yahaya Zakka Minna
As the local government elections approach on November 1 of this year, the Niger State government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have decided to adopt a consensus approach for selecting candidates to represent the party in the polls.
The decision was made after considering various options for candidate selection, including holding direct and indirect party primaries.
Alhaji Mohammed Nma Kolo, Special Adviser to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, announced this in Minna on Monday, stating that the consensus option was chosen due to its cost-effectiveness and reduced conflict.
“The leader of the party, members of the state executive council of the APC, and key stakeholders convened and agreed on the consensus option,” Kolo declared, emphasizing that all aspirants were included in the discussions.
At their last meeting, the Niger State APC stakeholders agreed on the consensus for both the Chairmanship and Councilorship positions, mainly due to its advantages in saving costs.
Hon. Nma Kolo quoted the Electoral Act 2022, sections 84(1) and (2), which allows political parties to choose from any of the available selection methods.
The party and government also agreed on a recommendation by Governor Bago to reserve the Vice Chairmanship positions in the 25 local governments for women.
Hon. Kolo assured that there would be no imposition of candidates on the populace, stating, “We will consult widely in making our choices.”
Additionally, Kolo mentioned that the decision made by the APC and the state government is not binding on other political parties. “These parties have the right to select their candidates as they see fit, but they should prioritize the peace and stability of the state when making their decisions.”
The Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) has given political parties until the end of next month to submit their candidate lists for the elections and an additional month to make any replacements.
