Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Governor, and Chairman Progressives Governors’ Forum, Atiku Bagudu has pledged to uphold tenets of democracy by allowing members to elect people of their choice during APC ward Congress scheduled for this Saturday through a transparent exercise.
He assured party stakeholders and members of the APC in the state that honesty and justice would form the basis of the upcoming ward congresses in the state, as the party have also agreed to commence the use of consensus strategy during the Ward Congresses.
The governor affirmed this in Birnin Kebbi at the stakeholders’ meeting of the APC preparatory to the upcoming congresses slated to begin 31st of July.
The Governor indicated that, the decision to employ the invaluable concept of consensus was reached out of the volition of all the critical stakeholders of the Party.
Bagudu further stated that, consensus was not new to the Party in the State and it was deployed severally, at all levels.
The Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum said: “We had hitherto used this all-important strategy and it was significantly effective and beneficial to all of us.
” That is why we have also provided some Windows to voice out agitations, just as we have also vowed to be just and fair to all.
” Leaderdhip aims at fostering peace and unity, and not discord and disharmony. These are what we will continue, as well as protect.
” APC and its leaders, at levels will continue to protect the dignity of all the stakeholders as we are all equal shareholders in the Party.”
Bagudu said that, Islam prescribes reconciliation and dialogue in all matters affecting the faithful.
He also expressed delight that, Kebbi State was renowned to be bastion of peace, unity, discipline, respect and support to each other.
The Governor commends all stakeholders for their unprecedented support and cooperation, while stressing that, the exercises will be hitch free.
Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, aligned himself with the submissions of Bagudu , even as he pledged sustained loyalty to the Governor as the Leader of the Party in the State .
While giving glowing tributes to other leaders and members of the Party, Malami said that, APC in the State and national levels will continue to grow from strength to strength.
He said in line with the constitution of the party, the President was the national leader of the APC while in states, governors were the leaders of the party, likewise in Kebbi, Bagudu remains the leader of APC, stressing the need for unflinching loyalty to the decision of the governor from all members of the party.
In his welcome address the State APC interim caretaker Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kana Zuru explained that the meeting was organized to harmoniously reach modalities for the conduct of ward congresses.
Kana quoted various sections of APC constitution with regards to the upcoming ward congresses.
He said the party constitution amongst others also provided for consensus amongst candidates and urged all candidates seeking for positions to follow the path of peace and go for consensus with full participation of stakeholders.
He said already dialogue was ongoing in all the 21 LGAs of the state aimed at reaching understanding among party members on the issue of consensus candidacy.
He further announced that reports have been received from 17 Local Government Areas where consensus and peace building have been reached out of the 21-local government.
The Chairman of APC Elders Forum of the State, Alhaji Sani Hukuma Zauro , the Algon Party Chairman, Abdullahi Usman Andrai as well as Barrister Shehu Marshall, Chairman Jega Local Government, Algon Chairman while commending the foresight of the governor and APC leadership, extolled governor Bagudu for bringing myriads of development to Kebbi State and uniting the members of the party.
They urged all party members to remain loyal to the party ideals and abide by decision reached at the meeting for smooth congresses.
On their part, Hajiya Aishatu Gunabi, APC women leader and Hajiya Halima Hassan Tukur, a former House of Representatives Member appreciated the governor for placing women in various positions in his administration.
The women leader, Hajiya Aishatu Gunabi however appealed to all APC stakeholders to give additional posts to women in the party hierarchy as well as the upcoming congresses in view of their voting power.
The Speaker Kebbi State House of Assembly, RT Hon. Ismail AdulMumin Kamba thanked the governor for approving constituency projects in their localities while assuring the governor of their support and cooperation for smooth conduct of ward congresses.
Speaking Earlier, former Kebbi State Governor, Alhaji Saidu Nasamu Dakingari emphasized the importance of conducting the exercise peacefully devoid of rancour and malice.
Senator Muhammadu Aliero, representing Kebbi Central said it was incumbent on all party members to work towards consolidating the successes recorded by the APC as well as make it stronger from ward to national level as mandated by President Muhammadu Buhari who is the national leader of the party.
He there for emphasized the importance of strengthening party unity and carrying everybody along in determining the affairs of the party.
Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, Senate Majority Leader representing Kebbi North acknowledged that the purposeful leadership of governor Bagudu has paved the way for Kebbi State to become one large political family.
He called on people to sustain loyalty to the governor and in return the governor should also uphold the virtues of Justice and fairness.
Shehu Muhammad Koko, Wamban Koko, House of Representatives Member representing Koko Besse/Maiyama eulogized the benevolence and goodwill of governor Atiku Bagudu among party members across the state which according to him has impacted positively on the lives of people that has reduced burden on politicians.
Others who spoke during the meeting were Hon. Umar Muhammad Jega, representing Gwandu, Aliero Jega in the House of Representatives , Dr.Haliru Bala Jikan Daudu, National Commissioner, National Population Commission, Hon Atiku Bunu, Federal Commissioner, Federal Character Commission, Alhaji Mansur Shehu, Barrister Attahiru Maccido, State Pioneer Chairman of APC now Commissioner Special Duties.
Architect Bala Sani Kangiwa, the immediate past APC State Chairman, former Speaker Kebbi State House of Assembly, now Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon Hassan Muhammad Shalla and Chief of Staff Government House, Suleiman Muhammad Argungu ( Jarman Kabi), former Deputy Governor.
Others were, Chairman, National Commission of People with Disabilities, Alhaji Hussaini Kangiwa, Aminu Muhammad Ambursa, Chairman Physically Challenged Persons, APC, Former Senator Kebbi North, Alhaji Umar Tafidan Kabi, APC Youth Leader, Alhaji Musa Muhammad Birnin Kebbi and Rtd AIG Umar Ambursa.
The meeting was attended by former Governors, Deputy govs, National Assembly members; Senators, House of Reps, Speaker and members of Kebbi State House of Assembly, APC State interim Chairman , APC State caretaker excos, local government party caretaker excos, 21 local government chairmen, APC Elders Forum Chairman, Commissioners, Special Advisers and Women leaders and members of the media.
