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  • APC National Secretary, Zulum emerge Yobe/Borno governorship candidates

    The APC gubernatorial primaries for Yobe and Borno have been concluded with the National Secretary of APC, Mai Mala Buni and Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum as winners respectively.
    Both candidates are expected to fly the flag of the party for the governorship elections come 2019.
    Though both candidates secured landslide victories with wide margins, the elections however did not go with intrigues as some of the aspirants insisted on the election rather than a less acrimonious  consensus that the two state governments wanted.
    In Yobe State, Hon. Mai Mala pulled a total  2797, while his  closest rival Sidi Yakubu Karasuwa got a total of 23 votes. Umar Ali came third with eight votes and  Aji Kolomi got  four votes.
    In Borno State, the Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum emerged victorious with ‪ 4432‬

    While his closest contest, Idris Durkwa  got 114 ‪votes. Other contestants are Gambo Lawan – two ‬

    ‪Umar Alkali (NASCO) – 0, Abba Jato – 0‬, Kumalia Umara – 0‬. A total of ‪317 invalid votes were recorded

  • Shettima endorses Umara-Zulum as successor

    Gov.Kashim Shettima of Borno on  has endorsed Prof. Babagana Umara-Zulum, the State’s Commissioner For Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement to succeed him.
    Shettima made the endorsement on Saturday night while addressing all the governorship aspirants in the state ahead of the Sunday’s governorship Primaries of the All Progressive Congress(APC) in Maiduguri.
    Shettima had within the last one month, held secret cosultations with stakeholders, traditional rulers and party chieftains  in order to get their views on the best candidte to succeed him.
    NAN reports that leading traditional rulers and Borno Elders have reportedly also settled for Zulum based on his integrity and track records of achievements while as commissioner.
    Prof. Umara-Zulum, is an engineer and fellow of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS.He was born in August, 1969 in Mafa Local Government Area of the state.
    After his elementary and secondary education, he went to Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, where he obtained a National Diploma in Irrigation Engineering in 1988.
    From there, he proceeded to the University of Maiduguri to Study Agricultural Engineering between 1990 and 1994 after which he attened his mandatory NYSC service in Katsina State. He obtained his Masters Degree in Soil and Water Engineering from the University of Ibadan from 1997 to 1998.
    He came back to Maiduguri to his Alma-Mata to undertake a doctoral degree which was successfully completed in 2009 in Agric and Environmental Engineering.
    All along, he has been serving his state in various capacities as a technical officer up to the rank of a principal water engineer with Borno State Unified Local Government.
    In the year 2000 he took up an appointment with the University of Maiduguri as an assistant lecturer in the department of Agric Engineering, he went through the ranks to become a Senior Lecturer in 2008. He later became the Rector of Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri.
    In 2015, he was appointed Commissioner for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement by Gov. Shettima, a position he held till early this week when the Borno State Executive Council was dissolved.(NAN)

  • Army inflicts heavy casualties on Boko Haram

    The Nigerian Army has inflicted heavy casualties on Boko Haram when they attacked Garshigar community of Mobar Local Government Area in Borno on Wednesday.

    Texas Chukwu, Army Director of Public Relations, disclosed this in a statement released on Thursday in Maiduguri.

    Chukwu stated that the insurgents, who were in nine gun trucks, were repelled by troops of 145 Battalion deployed for Operation Lafiya Dole following superior power of the vigilant troops.

    He added that “preliminary battle damage assessment reveals that the overwhelming superior power of the troops devastated the insurgents, inflicting human and equipment casualty on the insurgents which forced them to withdraw in disarray.”

    The director said that the gallant troops regrouped after the fierce encounter and dominated the general area of Garshigar and its environs with fighting patrols.

    “The good people of Mobar Local Government are urged to remain calm and be assured of troops’ commitment to provide adequate security in the general area,” he added.

  • Shettima dissolves Cabinet

    Borno Governor, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday ordered the immediate dissolution of the State Executive Council.

    A statement issued in Maiduguri by the Secretary to the Borno Government, Alhaji Usman Jidda-Shuwa, directed all commissioners to handover to permanent secretaries in their respective ministries before Sept. 28.

    The SSG said the governor appreciated the commissioners for their services and contributions to the unprecedented developmental progress recorded by the administration and wished them well in their future endeavors.

    He also conveyed the governor’s appreciation to all those who supported the commissioners in the discharge of their duties.(NAN)

  • Igbo Professionals applaud repel of Boko Haram

     

    The Igbo Professionals in Diaspora, has lauded the recent  landmark victory of the troops of the Nigerian Army in the battle against the Boko Haram insurgents in some communities it described as the black spots of the insurgent group, in the North Eastern part of the country.

    Reacting to the Nigerian Army’s recent operations which foiled the attempt by the terrorist group, to recapture some liberated towns in Borno  State, leader of the Igbo group, Engr. Fidelis Nze KSR, described the army’s effort, led by the Chief of Army Staff,  as a milestone in the war against terrorism in Nigeria.

    It said this latest development also justifies the group’s believe, that the Nigerian  military is truly fully in control and have maintained his victory over the Boko Haram.

     

    Read also: NAF destroys Boko Haram vehicles

     

    “We wish to salute the men and officers of the Nigerian Army for their untiring and gallant commitment at making the Boko Haram insurgents feel the tremendous heat of our military power, which has been unleashed on them; therefore, ensuring further Return Of peace and stability to the Northeast and other insurgency ravaged part of our country”

    The group also decried what it termed as the mischievous reportage of the war against terrorism by some sponsored medium and their foreign collaborators. It said the actions of the said media organizations, are aimed at disparaging the efforts of the Buhari’s administration, towards ending the insurgency, while tacitly emboldening the terrorists.

    The group also lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai for continually providing leadership for the Army by being in  the frontlines always, thereby justifying President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise  of leading the war against terrorism in the country, from the front at all times.

     

     

  • Ndume renews call for power rotation in Borno

    Former Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, has renewed his call for Borno South Senatorial District to be allowed to produce the next governor of the state.

    Ndume made the call when he appeared as a guest on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Sunday.

    The lawmaker, who represents Borno South in the Senate, noted that in the interest of fairness, equity and natural justice, it was proper for someone from his constituency to be allowed to serve the state as governor.

    “It is feasible if there is an agreement, and that is what I have been advocating for, I am part of the advocacy for power rotation.

    “But let me say that when I was the Senate leader, I made sure that power rotation was included in the Constitution Amendment Bill.

    “Unfortunately, it did not see the light of the day because the majority had their way. But we have started the struggle. It is not something that is realisable in a day.’’

    Ndume identified lack of unity and understanding among the minorities in the district as the major challenge undermining their aspiration.

    He, however, said he had seen some improvement as the people of southern Borno had become more united than before.

    “We are giving it a shot, because out of the 23 or 24 contestants for the gubernatorial election, we have about three or four people from southern Borno, this time around.

    “Although it is still a small number if you look at it, but we are hoping we will get there one day,’’ he said.

  • 2019: Rebuild Borno, create jobs, monarch task aspirant

    The Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Garbai Elkanemi, has called on one of the governorship aspirants Mr. Kashim Ibrahim Imam to focus on the rebuilding of Borno and create jobs for the teaming youth of the state if giving the opportunity as governor.

    The Shehu made this call on Friday when he received, one of governorship aspirants in the state, Mr. Kashim-Ibrahim Imam who was in the palace for royal blessing for his ambition to become the next governor of Borno State on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The Nation checks reveal that this will be the third time Mr. Kashim Imam is aspiring for  this position with the two previous attempts all on the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before he defected in 2011 to ruling ANPP in the state now APC.

    The Shehu while making his remarks challenged Mr. Imam to be a shining example and an ambassador of the people being the Mutawalli (finance minister) of Borno Emirate Council.

    The Shehu extolled the leadership and philanthropic life of Mr. Imam to the traditional institutions and to the people even as a private citizen of Borno State.

    “The palace and good people of Borno are indeed very happy with your aspiration and wish you all the best in your campaign.

    “Since your assumption of office as the Mutawalli many years ago, you have not only supported us at all times but your philanthropic gestures has been legendary. You have always reached out to us during the Ramadan and other sallah celebration, and you have shared in our times of joy and in occasion of sorrow.

    “Apart from that, you are also the brain behind the completion of our grand central mosque that before now, had been in the state of incompletion for over 30 years; but when you donated the huge sum of N200 million in 2011 the completion effort started and today with the ample support of the state government the mosque in fully completed,” Shehu El-kanemi said.

    The Chairman Borno Council of Chiefs regretted the state of joblessness, infrastructure decay that has bedeviled the state as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency.

    “We need you to look at the general state of dilapidation of critical infrastructures like roads and public buildings around our state.

    “From Maiduguri to Magumeri, to Mobbar, Abadam, from Dikwa to Kala-Balge, from Maiduguri to Bama up to Gwoza; from Maiduguri through Damboa up to Biu up to Shani, from Dikwa to Gamboru-Ngala and to Marte; from Monguno to Kukawa, and so on, all the roads are in the state of disrepair. Our people are suffering and the insurgency has made it worse.

    “Kindly look at these critical infrastructures and also look at the issue of job creation and employment for our youths so that they will not be lured into imbibing the alien culture of Boko Haram that have encroached into our land,” said the monarch.

    Earlier in his remarks, the APC governorship aspirant, Mr. Imam identified education for all, job creation and reconstruction of Borno state as his key driving areas of his ambition to take over the state come May 29, 2019

    He said; “if we are given the mandate and with the blessings of the Royal Palace, we shall convene a critical stakeholders conference from where we are going to first take stock of our loses both human and infrastructure, then call for donor conference here in Maiduguri, then at the national level and then at the international level.

    “We are also going to tackle the problem of lack of education and the economy. It is the poor economy and lack of education that gave birth to Boko Haram and not even religion or its extremism as it is being perceived,” he explained.

    Mr. Imam also promised that his campaign will engage in massive mobilization of voters for the re-election of President Mohammadu Buhari, whom he said has saved Borno from the Boko Haram crisis through his commitment and support to security forces.

    His words: “The President, Muhammadu Buhari, does not need to campaign anywhere in the northeast especially here in Borno to win the 2019 election.

    “As far as we are concerned, the President is here for the people of Borno, first and secondly for the northeast and then thirdly for the all Nigerians. And it is certain that one area of achievement that one cannot take away from the president is the successes that has been recorded in the area of security.

    “The president has given leadership; he has delivered on his commitment to the people of Nigeria, the northeast and the people of Borno by bringing peace and security to our different communities.

    “He has done so well, and people have to understand why the Northeast is being described as the president’s support territory. It takes only the people of the northeast who had seen it all to appreciate the president’s achievement in the area of security.

    “We want to assure the President that he does not need to campaign in the northeast to win his reelection come 2019.”

    “While we thank the president for helping us to win the war; we also express our gratitude as a people to our governor, Kashim Shettima who has also won the peace,” he said

  • Normalcy has returned to Gudumbali in Borno, says Army

    The Nigeria Army on Sunday said normalcy has returned to Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government area of Borno state after a combination of troops from 82 Division and the 158 Task Force Battalion engaged Boko Haram Terrorists in a combat which lasted several hours.
    The Army however said no human casualities was recorded on the encounter.
    Army Spokesman, Brig. Gen Texas Chukwu, said in a statement that it is important for residents of the village to remain calm and go about their normal business without any fear. He however called on the people to remain vigillant and report strange faces to the authorities.
    “Combined troops of 82 Division Task Force Brigade and 158 Task Force Battalion conducting Counter Insurgency Operations in North Eastern Nigeria, on Friday 7 September 2018 had an encounter with Boko Haram insurgents in Gudumbali in Guzamala Local Government Area of Borno state.
    “The encounter took place when the insurgents attacked the community, set some buildings ablaze and quickly withdrew from the community. However, no human casualty was  recorded in the encounter. The troops have regrouped and normalcy have been restored. The troops have also been reinforced with additional troops to dominate the general area.
    “It will be recalled that Gudumbali is one of the communities in Borno state, that were recently reoccupied by Internally Displaced Persons who had voluntarily returned to their ancestral homes.
    “The people of Gudumbali community and Guzamala Local Government in general are urged to remain calm and resilient as Operation Lafiya Dole troops tirelessly combat the terrorists. They are also implored to maintain high level of vigilance and monitor strange faces to prevent fleeing Boko Haram terrorists from infiltrating and hibernating in their communities.
    “The good people of the North East are assured of the unalloyed resolve of troops of Operation Lafiya Dole to continue to combat the Boko Haram terrorists in the region”

     

  • BORNO: Sheriff’s supporters flay indirect primary

    IN Borno State, the decision to use indirect primary election was viewed as a  masterstroke against the last breathe of former Governor Ali Modu Sheriff to get hold of some party structure in the state, now in absolute control of  his political son, Gov. Kashim Shettima during his sojourn in political wilderness at the PDP.

    Sherriff’s supporters were completely opposed to the indirect primary adopted by the Borno State APC chapter as the entire party structure is under Shettima.

    A veteran journalist and retired Permanent Secretary in the Borno State Civil Service, Musa Abba Aji, has also kicked against the decision of the party, maintaining that the process does not provide the rights of the voter in a democratic system.

    His words: “As a bona fide and card carrying member of the APC, I am strongly opposed to the indirect primaries in Borno State. This indirect option is not only an act of cowardice, but a step to disenfranchise all APC voters in the state.

    “If such method (indirect primaries) is not suspended for direct primaries, we will continue to mobilize electorates for protest votes come 2019.

    “We call on the National Working Committee (NWC) and leaders of APC in Borno State to rise to the occasion, by adopting direct primaries, which is the best democratic practice for all elective positions on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

    “This will further enhance participation and promote inclusion within the rank and file of the APC,” Aji said.

  • APC Primaries: Disquiet in Ondo, Kaduna, Borno, Rivers, others

    There are grumblings in some states as All Progressives Congress state chapters resolve on direct, indirect or consensus modes of selecting candidates for the next elections, report our State Correspondents

    FOLLOWING All Progressives Congress’ recent resolution to allow its state chapters to decide on the method of choosing its candidates in the forthcoming general elections, there are ripples in most of the states as some of the aspirants have expressed open disagreement with the decision reached by their state’s working committees.

    The party’s national leadership had urged the state chapters to choose between, direct, indirect or consensus method of choosing its candidates in the forthcoming primaries.

    Our state correspondents report that in some states, some factions have gone ahead to take different decisions, a development that may lead to greater confusion except the party’s national leadership steps in to resolve the issues. For now, the situation has remained a mixed bag.

    THE battle-line has been drawn between the Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, a former Governor of Rivers State, who is the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers and the Southsouth zone; and the lawmaker representing Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe, who is a governorship aspirant on APC’s platform.

    Amaechi was Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly between 1999 and 2007, then as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while Abe was Minority Leader of Rivers Assembly from 1999 to 2003, then as a member of the All Peoples Party (APP), which later became All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

    Abe was Rivers Commissioner for Information between 2003 and 2007. Shortly after Amaechi became Rivers State Governor on October 26, 2007, following the previous day’s landmark judgment of the Supreme Court, which sacked Sir Celestine Omehia, he (Amaechi) appointed his bosom friend (Abe) as the Secretary to Rivers State Government (SSG). He proceeded to the Senate in 2011.

     

    Senator Abe was APC’s governorship aspirant in 2015, but a former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, emerged as the standard bearer of the party for the 2015 poll, with Abe returning to the Senate.

    Abe, an indigene of Bera-Ogoni (upland) in Gokana Local Government Area, is again aspiring to be governor on APC’s platform, but Amaechi, the Director-General of Buhari/Osinbajo Reelection Campaign Organisation, prefers APC’s governorship candidate in 2019 to be a riverine person, in the multi-ethnic state, to ensure even development, justice, equity and fairness, considering the fact that Rivers governors since 1999 (Dr. Peter Odili, Sir Celestine Omehia, Amaechi and Nyesom Wike) are all from the upland part.

    Stakeholders of the main opposition APC in Rivers, on August 30, during the apex leadership caucus meeting in Lagos, which was attended by most of the governorship aspirants and presided over by transportation minister, before he travelled to China, as part of Federal Government’s delegation, endorsed the co-founder of Sahara Group, Pastor Tonye Cole, as the governorship candidate of APC for the 2019 election.

    Cole, an architect, hails from riverine Abonnema-Kalabari, the headquarters of Akuku-Toru LGA and he was born in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on January 11, 1967. He is the son of a former Managing Director of Daily Times, Dr. Patrick Dele Cole, who is also an ex-Ambassador of Nigeria to Brazil.

    In attendance at the Lagos meeting were some of the governorship aspirants: Cole, a Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG); Peterside, who is the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and hails from coastal Opobo, the seat of Opobo/Nkoro LGA, as well as an oil magnate, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, also an indigene of Abonnema as Cole.

    In spite of the endorsement of Cole as the governorship candidate of Rivers APC, Abe, who was not at the Lagos meeting of stakeholders, insisted on participating in the primary election of the party.

    Abe said: “I am not aware of any meeting of APC stakeholders in Rivers State that has been held and endorsed anybody. I have not known Tonye Cole to be a member of the party (APC). I will vie for the governorship ticket of APC.”

    Abe had earlier opened a parallel secretariat of APC at Waterlines Bus Stop on Aba Road, Port-Harcourt, with a former Rivers Deputy Chairman of the party, Prince Peter Odike, as the Acting Chairman, while a suit was filed at the Rivers High Court in Port-Harcourt by Abe’s allies to challenge APC’s congresses in Rivers, but the duly-elected Chairman of APC in the state, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, maintained that there was no faction in the party in Rivers, stating that Abe’s inaugurated secretariat was his governorship campaign office.

    An Abuja High Court 14, Bwari, presided over by Justice A. O. Musa, on September 4, granted an order of perpetual injunction, restraining APC and its National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, from tampering with the mandates of Flag-Amachree-led executive of the party and other elected officials at the ward and local government levels in Rivers State.

    In view of the controversy generated by the May 2018 ward, local government and state congresses of the APC in Rivers, the State Chairman of the party, (Flag-Amachree) and members of his executive, approached the Abuja High Court in suit number: FCT/HC/BW/CV/115/2018, seeking perpetual injunction against the APC, its national chairman, members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Committee (NEC) from tampering with the Rivers executive of the party, until all pending matters regarding the congresses were resolved.

    The order of perpetual injunction was to the effect that the officials/delegates elected at the APC’s ward, local government and state congresses in Rivers State on May 19, 20 and 21, 2018 respectively, should not be removed and their elections should not be nullified, while ordering that new congresses must not be conducted in Rivers State by the national leadership of APC.

    The court affirmed the validity of the congresses which took place on May 19, 20 and 21, which culminated in the election of Flag-Amachree-led executive committee, with the congresses having been conducted in compliance with the constitution of the APC.

    Justice Musa also ordered that both the APC and its national chairman were bound to give effect to the outcomes of the congresses in Rivers State.

    The Publicity Secretary of APC in Rivers, Chief Chris Finebone, declared that the party in the state had one authentic executive, led by Flag-Amachree, and a secretariat, with Amaechi, remaining the leader of APC in Rivers and Southsouth zone.

    Finebone said: “The implication of the perpetual injunction graciously granted by the Abuja High Court is that all the lies and deceits by the supporters of Senator Magnus Abe have expired forthwith. Every lie has an expiry date, as can be seen in this case.

    “The ruling, which has effectively retired a set of baby politicians with overrated ego, is underlining the need to be grateful to God and those whom God has used as vessels to bring about succour and uplift to you. When you bite the hand that feeds you and feels that you are winning, just watch it, because you will pay the price at God’s own time. Many studied history, but never learnt from history.”

    Rivers Publicity Secretary of APC also stated that the reality was that a set of individuals had dribbled themselves out of the system and only God Almighty could help them, adding: “That is what inordinate ambition brings.”

    Members of the State Executive Committee (SEC) of the APC in Rivers, on September 6, adopted indirect primaries for picking candidates of the party for the 2019 General Elections.

    The APC stakeholders from across the 23 local government areas of Rivers, at the SEC meeting, which took place at the new state secretariat of the party at 63, Aba Road, Port-Harcourt, suggested the three options: direct, indirect and consensus, in line with APC’s constitution.

    The three suggestions were put to vote, with indirect primaries recording 106 votes, consensus with three votes and direct primaries having just one vote.

    The SEC meeting, which was presided over by Flag-Amachree, was also attended by other members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party; Senator Andrew Uchendu (Rivers-East); and the Deputy National Secretary of APC, Chief Victor Giadom, an indigene of Bera-Ogoni in Gokana LGA of Rivers State; among other chieftains of the party.

    Flag-Amachree said: “Let me sincerely thank you for taking this decision (on indirect primaries). You are aware that at the NEC meeting (of APC in Abuja), it was agreed that each state should adopt its mode of primaries.

    “I want to announce to the whole world that members of the Rivers State APC, having sat down and considered all the various options, agreed to go for indirect primaries, based on reasons including insecurity, lack of data base and logistic challenge.”

    While also speaking, Uchendu stated that opting for indirect primaries was particularly considering the peculiarity of Rivers State, which he described as insecure, thereby not exposing APC faithful to danger of being killed by opposition politicians and their thugs.

    The senator said: “I am a foundation member of PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) and APC. I must praise the Rivers State Chairman of APC (Flag-Amachree) for organising this type of platform for us to air our views.

    “We will definitely not have a safe venue, at which we will call all our teeming supporters together for direct primaries. We know that the government of Nyesom Wike does not want APC to exist in Rivers State. If we gather at a place for direct primaries, we will be in trouble. We know what Wike and his supporters are capable of doing and what they had done over the years. Opting for direct primaries in Rivers State will be putting the lives of APC faithful at risk.

    “It is better we spread out to the various wards and LGAs and conduct indirect primaries. By the time they attack one or two places, I am sure the weakest security will be available to arrest the situation, than mobilising and focusing on just one point.”

    The Deputy National Secretary of APC, in his remarks, also alleged that Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike, could not be trusted, in view of his desperation to win reelection next year, which he said would never happen.

    Giadom said: “As a member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of APC and also from Rivers State, I am back home to participate in taking decision on the primaries of my party. The collective decision of APC members in Rivers State will be respected. That is what the people want. Majority will always have their way, while the minority will have their say. That’s why the decision was democratically taken.

    “The NWC of APC does not want to force any state to a particular mode of primary, especially when the constitution of the party is very clear that the states can adopt direct, indirect or consensus. So, it became obvious that we must throw the options to the people. The people have decided that they prefer indirect primaries. We have no option, but to allow the wish of the people to prevail.

    “Rivers people, especially members of APC, should pursue the path of peace and come together, to have a united party, so as to enable us to face the members of PDP, who are already jittery, because of the strength of APC in Rivers State.”

    The Deputy National Secretary of APC also admonished Nigerians to continue to support the focused administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Odike, on September 7, suddenly described himself as the chairman of APC in Rivers (no longer Acting Chairman) and he signed a notice of meeting, inviting APC stakeholders in Rivers to a State Executive Committee (SEC) meeting on Monday, September 10 at 10 a.m. at the party’s “secretariat” at No. 173, Aba Road, Catholic Mission Estate, Port-Harcourt.

    Odike said: “Those to attend are as contained in Article 12.1 and 12.8 of the APC Constitution.”

    It was gathered that Abe group’s SEC meeting would adopt direct primaries in electing candidates for 2019 elections in Rivers, in order to spite Amaechi, Flag-Amachree and their loyalists. Observers said this will likely cause confusion.

    Abe also declared that Rivers APC would not adopt indirect primaries to elect its candidates.

    He said: “Rivers State is one of the states where we cannot have indirect primaries. The entire structure of the party in the state is embroiled in legal controversy with about four or five court cases. So, if you want to do indirect primaries, which particular list of delegates are you going to use and which particular congress?” Indirect primaries breed corruption, through financial inducement of delegates.

    “They say where you stand on an issue depends on where you sit. What you call indirect primaries is a situation where known party members meet in a place to elect candidates.

    “The known party members are invariably part of a structure that is already organised. So, when people have control of such structure, the entire exercise is predetermined, because they already know who they are going to elect.

    “You have to understand that life is dynamic and part of what we promised Nigerians is that we were going to bring change into the country and make it better. Part of the challenge people have with indirect primaries is that the outcome is predetermined.”

    The senator also stated that indirect primaries would be very vulnerable to financial inducement, since the delegates would be known.

    He said: “In bringing our message for change in Nigeria, there is every need for us to look at these things and improve the processes, as the country grows older and our democracy matures.

    “No matter the argument one may have or may not have, I believe that as far as Nigerian democracy is concerned, the days of indirect primaries are fast drawing to a close.”

    As things are in Rivers APC, the national leadership of the party must quickly intervene, to prevent an implosion, if members of APC are determined to unseat Wike next year.