From Abel Leonard, Lafia

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State has officially unveiled its candidates for the upcoming local government elections, scheduled for November 2, 2024. The announcement was made late Friday at the APC Secretariat in Lafia by the chairman of the party’s primaries election committee, Mr. Tanimu Adabson.

During the announcement, Adabson highlighted that the decision to select the candidates was made through a consensus approach. He explained that this method was in line with the party’s constitution, which allows for direct, indirect, or consensus primaries. Consultations with party stakeholders across the 13 local government areas (LGAs) led to the final selection of credible candidates.

“We wanted to ensure that the candidates chosen are individuals of substance, capable of delivering the dividends of democracy,” Adabson said. “The governor, in his wisdom, insisted that we choose individuals who are not only experienced but also committed to public service. These are people who can lead effectively, especially with the advent of financial autonomy for local governments.”

Adabson explained that the selection process was rigorous, with candidates undergoing a screening process to ensure they met constitutional qualifications. Those who did not meet the requirements were disqualified.

“We also made sure to be gender-sensitive and inclusive by reducing the cost of nomination forms by 50% for female and disabled aspirants,” Adabson added. “We want to ensure that every segment of our society is represented and that we run a government that reflects the diversity of our state.”

In addition to chairmanship candidates, the APC has also compiled a list of 147 councilor candidates, which will be submitted to the Nasarawa State Independent Electoral Commission (NASIEC) in accordance with the election timetable.

“We are confident that this exercise will result in a peaceful, credible election that the people of Nasarawa will be proud of,” Adabson said, thanking stakeholders for their support and commitment.

Speaking at the event, the APC Chairman in Nasarawa State, Dr. Aliyu Bello, commended the committee for their hard work and dedication, noting that they had sacrificed time away from their families to ensure the process was fair and transparent.

“I want to thank the committee for doing a good job, leaving their families for weeks to ensure they got it right. Their commitment has brought us to this successful announcement,” Bello said.

However, Bello addressed concerns about an alleged list circulating on social media, stating that it was different from the officially announced candidates. He urged the media to always verify information before publication.

“I appeal to the media to do the right thing by waiting for official confirmation before reporting. There was a list circulating on social media that was completely different from what we have announced here today,” Bello stated. “I urge the media to always verify with the party. Our doors are always open for any kind of verification.”

The list of APC chairmanship candidates for the November 2 local government elections is as follows:

1. Akwanga – Safiyanu Isa Andaha

2. Awe – Umar Abubakar Son of Akano

3. Doma – Jonathan Okuba Addra

4. Karu – Abubakar Aliyu Madaki

5. Keana – Adamu Usman Aboki

6. Keffi – Idris Ahmed Damagani

7. Kokona – Bitrus Agbawu

8. Lafia – Mohammed Haliru Arabo

9. Nasarawa – Mohammed Hassan Ahmed

10. Nassarawa Eggon – Iliya Ibn Aliyu

11. Obi – Isa Mohammed Sani

12. Toto – Murtala Usman

13. Ordinary – Ezekiel Musa Kyaga