2019: Zamfara deputy governor, defence minister tackle Yari, adopt direct primary

Eight governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara state have adopted direct primary for picking the party’s governorship candidate.

The executive officers of the Zamfara chapter of the APC, believed to be loyal to Abdulaziz Yari, governor of the state, had adopted indirect primary election.

Yari is said to be backing Mukhtar Idris, finance commissioner, for the party’s ticket.

But at a meeting in Abuja during the weekend, some aspirants: Kabir Marafa, senator representing Zamfara central; Mansur Dan-Ali, minister of defence; Ibrahim Wakala, deputy governor; Mahmud Shinkafi, ex-governor; Aminu Sani Jaji, house of representatives member; Abu Magaji, retired permanent secretary; Daudu Lawal and Mohammed Sagir Hamidu, a member of board of the Federal Housing Authority, signed an agreement on direct primary.

In the agreement seen by TheCable, they resolved to abide by the court order of the Abuja federal high court which asked Yari and Marafa factions of the party to “maintain the status quo and should not take any steps that would render nugatory the subject matter of the litigation.”

They said the conduct of direct primary election in the state would demonstrate obedience to the directive given by the court.

“That the national leadership of the party ought to have involved the members of the G8 governorship aspirants in the recruitment of the ward, local government and state electoral organising committee members for the conduct of the direct primaries in the state,” the agreement read.

“That the national working committee (NWC) of the APC is hereby urged to choose the course for a peaceful, free and successful APC primaries and general elections in Zamfara state.

“That the NWC approves and communicate to all parties concerned that the direct mode of primaries has been decided for Zamfara state APC under the guidance of a caretaker committee especially appointed for the state until the court case is finally determined.

“The common resolutions of the eight governorship aspirants should be communicated to the attorney for further transmission of these resolutions to the APC national working committee. A copy of the letter of complaint of G7 also is attached for reference and action by the lawyers.”