Fair Congress Pledge: Nasarawa APC Unites for Transparent Process

By Kure Tashilane

Governor Abdullahi Sule has assured stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State that the upcoming party congresses will be free and fair, emphasizing the need for collective input to avoid a repeat of the party's 2023 electoral losses.

Speaking at a stakeholders' meeting in Lafia, the Governor stressed that the e-registration conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) forms the foundation of the process. He warned that any candidate for party offices must be captured in the system, as names not in the database would be automatically rejected. This, he noted, is necessary to prevent disputes and wasted efforts.

Addressing the party's adoption of a consensus approach, Sule clarified that this is not a new strategy but one inherited from previous leadership. He distinguished the current congresses from future primaries for governorship and national assembly seats, urging members to understand the process to avoid misconceptions.

Reflecting on the 2023 general elections, where the party lost three Senate seats and several House of Assembly members, the Governor attributed the losses to internal issues and external interference from Abuja politicians who manipulated delegate lists. "We lost because some people felt they had the capacity to take our list and change it in Abuja," Sule explained. "After changing everything, they still lost the election."

He called for the active involvement of all stakeholders—elected officials, party executives, and elders—in the process. "I came in through a free and fair primary, and by God's grace, I will conduct free and fair primaries," he assured.

Former Governor and Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura echoed these concerns, warning against lethargy and impunity. He noted that what happened in 2023 was "legally wrong, democratically wrong," leading to the party's significant losses. Al-Makura urged leaders to be transparent and avoid speculations fueled by social media, stressing that the party's survival depends on genuine consultation and truthfulness.

The meeting, attended by party officials and INEC representatives, aimed to fine-tune modalities for successful congresses. APC State Secretary Yarus Dangusa presented the party's e-registration figures, ranking Nasarawa second in the north-central region.

The gathering underscored the party's resolve to conduct transparent congresses, with stakeholders emphasizing that the crisis currently facing the party is internal and must be addressed collectively to ensure future victories.