Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Ten, out of the 21 All Progressive Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirants in Borno, have asked the National Working Committee of the party to cancel last weekend’s governorship primary in the state.
The aspirants, at a press briefing in Maiduguri, Borno’s capital, alleged that the the state governor, Kashim Shettima hijacked electoral officers after announcing his preferred candidate. He also said the governor purchased nomination forms for commissioners and political associates in order to compromise.
In a September 30 petition, signed by the 10 aspirants, they alleged that a level-playing field was not created for all the contestants and urged the party to recall the electoral panel sent to Borno and constitute another umpire to ensure that all aspirants have access to the delegates.
“The indirect primary conducted in Borno state, from its preparation to implementation, was fraught with several irregularities,” Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, who spoke on behalf of other aspirants, alleged.
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He disclosed that the aspirants met on Monday and resolved to forward a petition to the national body of the party, asking for “outright cancellation and postponement of other primaries.
“It is on record that the governor authorised the release of one month local government grants for each of the 27 local governments, without the statutory deduction, and caused the funds to be cashed. The sum of N200, 000 each was given to all the delegates under oath, as inducement to influence them to vote for the governor’s preferred candidate. Those who refused this inducement were booted out,” he alleged.
Shehuri said it was common knowledge that the governor bought nomination and expression of interest forms, so that “these aspirants would eventually be asked to step down for his preferred candidates.”
He called on the anti-graft agency to investigate the spending of the state government, during the governorship primary. He said they might consider a petition against the governor to ensure justice is served to all.
Spokesman to the governor, Malam Isa Gusau was not immediately available to react to the allegations.