By Joseph Edegbo
Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Zone One, Kaduna State have pleaded with top organs of the party to allow the zone to produce the next governorship candidate for the 2023 elections for equity and fairness.
The Zone comprises Zaria, Sabon-Gari, Soba, Makarfi, Ikara, Giwa and Kubau.
Addressing a news conference in Kaduna on Monday, representatives of the stakeholders, Ahmed Yahaya Lere and Dr. Usman Ahmed Danbaba spoke of the strategic position of the zone in APC in Kaduna State.
The zone, they argued, has been marginalized when it comes to appointments in spite of their contributions to the party and the state.
“It is known to everyone that our zone is the strongest in the State, this is so because our consistent performance is undoubtedly outstanding in all previous elections of 2015 and 2019 and the recent local government elections.
“Some of us here were State and Zonal party executives, returning agents of the party, former government officials and contestants, but most importantly, we are genuinely concerned about the future of the party and consolidating on the gains made by the administration of Mallam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai.
Therefore, they said, “for the future of our great party, the APC, we believe that our views and stands on the FORTHCOMING party primary election of our great party should be listened to and be respected. In particular, it affects the choice of a predecessor to our leader, Mal. Nasir Ahmad Elrufai.
“After lengthy deliberations and consultations, on behalf of our people, we make bold to demand the following on the choice of a successor to our leader, His Excellency Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
It was on this basis, they claimed, the next governor should come from the zone because of the following reasons.
“For instance, zone one had a Senator, six members of the House of Representatives, eleven members of the out-state Assembly members, seven council chairmen are all from the zone.
However, lamented that none of the Governor, Deputy Governor, the two Ministers, Party Chairman, Party Secretary, Women Leader, Youth Leader or the State representative at the national APC is from the zone.
“Yet, the performance of the party especially in zone 2 has been declining, they alleged.
For consolidation and continuity of the laudable projects of the governor in recent times, need a candidate that is competent, a team player and indeed familiar with the policies and development agenda of the current administration of Mal. Nasir El-Rufai