Kabiru Bello Bandawaire, aspirant for the Taraba North Senatorial District seat under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has firmly rejected any consensus arrangement ahead of the party’s upcoming primaries, insisting on direct and transparent elections. Speaking to journalists in Jalingo on Friday, Bandawaire emphasized that his campaign is rooted in representing the people, not serving government interests. He argued that consensus undermines democratic values and warned against interference by Governor Agbu Kefas in the party’s internal processes.
Bandawaire stressed that democracy thrives when party members are given the freedom to choose their candidates through open and fair primaries. “First and foremost, it is not about the government, it is about the people. I am representing the interest of the people,” he said. He added, “On this issue of consensus, I am not consenting to it at all. All I want is direct primaries, and direct primaries should be carried out under a transparent process. The beauty of democracy is that the majority is always welcome.”
He questioned the logic behind opting for consensus, especially when a serving three-term senator is still in the race. “What is the fear about? If you opt for consensus in the primary election, what about the general elections? That is not democracy,” Bandawaire stated. He challenged Governor Kefas to test the consensus idea by asking the incumbent senator to step down in his favor, saying, “Since I am not consenting to consensus, let the governor try whether the northern senator will consent to consensus by choosing me, and see whether he will agree. If he is not going to agree, why should I agree?”
Bandawaire also responded to claims made during a recent stakeholders’ meeting that party primaries are a waste of resources. He clarified that the APC sold nomination forms, and candidates like him paid N20,000,000 each to participate. “The party has the responsibility to fund its activities, not the state government,” he said. He maintained that the governor should not interfere in the party’s affairs and that party members must be allowed to freely decide their candidate through direct primaries.
The APC aspirant’s stance highlights growing concerns over transparency and fairness in Nigeria’s political processes. His call for open primaries reflects a broader demand for democratic integrity within political parties. As the APC prepares for its primaries, Bandawaire’s position could influence how the party conducts its internal elections and sets a precedent for future contests. The outcome of this debate may shape the political landscape in Taraba State and beyond.
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