Ahead of the crucial party primaries on Thursday, former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Umar Tanko Al-Makura, alongside a prominent governorship aspirant, former IGP Abubakar Adamu, took their consultation to the Lafia Emirate.
The visit marked the grand finale of their statewide tour, where they strongly condemned any attempts to impose consensus candidates behind closed doors.
Addressing the crowd of supporters, party officers, and admirers at the Lafia Palace, Senator Al-Makura described the visit to the Emir of Lafia as a special courtesy and an obligation for a son returning home to brief his father after a successful statewide consultation.
Al-Makura lauded the decision of the party leadership and the Presidency to adopt direct primaries for the upcoming election, asserting that the move guarantees a true democratic process where the votes of the masses count.
He called on the electoral umpires and party executives to strictly adhere to the guidelines set out in the Electoral Act to ensure a level playing field for all interested parties.
“This exercise is a very important and fundamental exercise to assure the party, the state, and the nation at large that we are guided by ensuring peaceful conduct, we show our happiness that Mr. President and the party have endured the direct primaries, which is the endorsement of the people”.
The former governor took a swipe at political actors attempting to orchestrate backroom endorsements, stating that the direct primary model puts an end to such maneuvers.
“This has put a lie to anybody who will endorse anybody for whatever purpose. The endorsement and the mandate to endorse belongs to the people. No endorsement, no consensus, no preferential treatment the people must vote, and the vote must count,” he added.
Speaking at the palace, the aspirant, former IGP Abubakar Adamu, expressed his gratitude to the Lafia Emirate and the people of Nasarawa South Central zone for their steadfast support.
He acknowledged that while higher political quarters within the state attempted to create divisions within the party, his team remained focused on grassroots mobilization.
“There was interest from higher quarters within the state, which led to a kind of division within the party. We didn’t allow that to distract us, we concentrated on what we are doing, and that concentration has led us to success today.”
Adamu expressed absolute confidence that the massive acceptance he received from the public across the state would translate into a resounding victory. (VON)
