Kogi: We have no preferred candidate –APC

The All Progressives Congress has said it has no preferred candidate among its members aspiring to contest the forthcoming Kogi State governorship election.

The party’s position was made known by its National Organising Secretary, who was represented by the Director of Administration, Abdullahi Gashua, while presenting the expression of interest and nomination forms to one of the aspirants, Alhaji Yahaya Bello in Abuja, on Thursday.

According to Gashua, the party was committed to ensuring that all aspirants were given a level playing field to contest so that the best among them would receive the party’s endorsement.

Gashua said, “APC stands for change and the party has no preferred candidate and it will prepare a level playing ground for every aspirant.”

He urged Bello to sign an undertaking that he would abide by the party’s rules and regulations as well as support the eventual winner of the party’s ticket after the primary.

The party leader said that Bello paid N5.5million into the party’s bank account, hence he was qualified to obtain the nomination and expression of interest forms, sold for N5m and N500,000 respectively.

With the fulfillment of these conditions, Bello was given the permission to solicit for votes from the party delegates.

The party leader said the APC was prepared to improve the transparent manner in which it chose its presidential, governorship and National Assembly candidates for the 2015 general election.

He explained that a mere purchase of the forms was not enough because the party expected the aspirant and their supporters to conduct themselves in well before, during and after the party’s governorship primary and also support the party at the poll.

Bello said his desire to be the state governor was anchored on his firm belief that Kogi State should be “free from the grip of a cabal who has over the years conspired to limit the state.”

He said, “Today, we are commencing an historic journey, a journey to liberate ourselves.”

Bello promised to run rancour-free campaigns and uphold the rule of law and the provisions of the party’s constitution regarding the governorship election.

It will be recalled that the APC fixed August 29, 2015 for the Kogi State governorship primary ahead of the governorship election slated for November, 2015 by the Independent National Electoral Commission.