The Nasarawa State Government has pledged to ensure transparency and fairness in the upcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election, set to kick off on Friday across the state.
Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Public Affairs, Hon. Peter Ahemba, gave the assurance while briefing journalists in Lafia ahead of the exercise.
Ahemba said the briefing was to update the public and journalists on the level of preparedness of the party ahead of the APC primaries in line with the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, all necessary arrangements had been concluded to ensure a peaceful and transparent exercise across the 13 local government areas and 18 development areas of the state.
“We made a solemn pledge that we will continue to update journalists regularly because the administration of His Excellency, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, operates an open-door policy where journalists are briefed regularly on government policies and programs,” he said.
He said the APC, as the ruling party, was fully prepared for the conduct of the House of Representatives primaries, stressing that security agencies had already been mobilized to guarantee a hitch-free exercise.
“So, I want to inform you that all is now set for the conduct of the primary elections that will lead to the emergence of candidates for the House of Representatives across the federal constituencies in Nasarawa State and beyond,” Ahemba stated.
He added, “Security agencies have been mobilized. The APC has also mobilized its members to ensure a hitch-free primary election for our federal constituencies tomorrow, by the grace of God.”
The governor’s aide stressed that Governor Sule had repeatedly directed that all the party’s primaries, including those for Senate, governorship, House of Assembly, and presidency, must be conducted in a transparent manner.
“His Excellency, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has said time without number that the conduct of the entire primary election exercise in Nasarawa State will be very free and fair,” he said.
Ahemba cautioned politicians and their supporters against violence before, during, and after the primaries, warning that the government would not tolerate any act capable of disrupting the peace in the state.
“As a peaceful party, we must be seen to conduct ourselves peacefully throughout the exercise. His Excellency will not condone any act of violence from any politician or group of politicians under whatever guise,” he warned.
He also dismissed allegations in some quarters that there were plans to manipulate the exercise in favor of certain aspirants, insisting that all aspirants would be given a level playing field.
“There is no room for any fishy activity. The election is going to be free, fair, and credible. Whoever wins will know that he won as a result of his popularity and acceptance,” Ahemba declared.
He further assured party members that no aspirant would be shortchanged during the process.
“We are all members of the APC, and those aspiring under our platform are duly registered members. Nobody is going to be shortchanged; that I can assure our aspirants and members of the APC,” he added.
The governor’s aide also charged journalists in the state to remain professional and avoid reports capable of heightening political tension.
“You are to create content and use materials that will help de-escalate tension rather than content that will lead to more tension in the polity,” he said.
Ahemba expressed gratitude to journalists for their backing of the government, urging continued collaboration in fostering peace and development across the state.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
The Nasarawa State Government has given a firm commitment that the upcoming APC primary elections will be free, fair, and transparent across all constituencies in the state.
With security agencies mobilized and all logistics in place, Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration has made clear that violence and manipulation will not be tolerated.
Every aspirant is guaranteed a level playing field, and the process is set to reflect the true will of party members.
