Responding to their criticisms on Tuesday, Kebbi APC spokesman Sanni Dododo insisted that the decision to adopt a consensus candidate was constitutional.

Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin-Kebbi

The Kebbi State chapter of the APC on Tuesday responded to Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and the Kebbi Development Forum (KDF) over their criticisms of the high cost of rice, the high rate of poverty, and the party’s adoption of a consensus gubernatorial candidate in the state.

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Governor Tambuwal had a few days ago, during his visit to Kebbi State PDP Secretariat in Birnin-Kebbi, condemned the high cost of rice in the state, despite its being on the Anchor Borrowers programme for local rice farmers.

The Kebbi Development Forum for its part had at a press conference condemned the Kebbi State APC for its adoption of a consensus candidate for next year’s gubernatorial election, having selected state governor Abubakar Bagudu for re-election. The forum criticised the governor’s leadership, saying it was responsible for the state’s purported underdevelopment and rise in poverty.

According to KDF Secretary General, Alhaji Usman Abubakar, “We, in the KDF, as stakeholders and direct beneficiaries of good governance have found it necessary, at this point in time, to voice our concern over the recent political developments in the country as it affects our state. The decision by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of All Progressive Congress (APC) to adopt direct primaries for presidency and allow states to choose between direct and indirect primaries is not only self-serving and counterproductive, but clearly runs counter to the principle of fairness, equity and justice.”

Responding to their criticisms on Tuesday, Kebbi APC spokesman Alhaji Sanni Dododo insisted that the decision taken by the State Working Committee (SEC) to adopt a consensus candidate for governor was both constitutional and democratic.

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He also asked Governor Tambuwal to mention agriculture programmes which his administration have embarked on that have benefited the people of Sokoto and Nigeria at large.

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“Kebbi State has no skeleton in its cupboard over the Anchor Borrowers [programme]. Nigerians benefited from [the] rice farming of Kebbi State. We should ask Governor Tambuwal what is the farming going on under his administration? We have seen [the] Anchor Borrowers in Kebbi and how farmers make huge money, going on hajj; let Governor Tambuwal tell us farming activities in his state,” Dododo remarked.

“Again, APC in Kebbi State is not afraid of direct primary. It is only circumstances that made us adopt consensus [candidacy for governor] and direct primary for President Muhammadu Buhari. And our decisions were backed by the APC constitution. So, Kebbi Development Forum should know that our actions were constitutional, democratic. We would not allow anybody to intimidates us and continue insulting us,” the party spokesman said.

On poverty, Dododo said: “India is one of the nuclear countries, but still has high poverty. Nobody can eradicate poverty in the world…

“I think the level of poverty now in the state has reduced. Look at the way rice farmers are going on hajj now and building houses in the state. That shows you that the level of poverty among the people has reduced under this administration.”

Dododo suggested that if KDF was advocating for certain aspirants in the APC or PDP, “they should turn their group into a political party so that we can know how to deal with them in future.”

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