By Adeyemi Adeleye
The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Kwara State Governorship Primary Election Committee, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, has assured party members and stakeholders of a free, fair and transparent governorship primary election rescheduled for Friday across the state.
Obanikoro gave the assurance in a statement issued on Friday ahead of the conduct of the APC governorship primary election .
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that APC Governorship Primaries held across states on Thursday,but the party rescheduled those of Kwara, Bauchi and Zamfara to Friday.
Obanikoro said that voting materials would be distributed before Jumat prayers, while voting would commence simultaneously in all the 16 local government areas after the prayers.
According to him, the committee is fully prepared to conduct the exercise in strict compliance with directives from the APC National Headquarters and in line with established party guidelines.
Obanikoro disclosed that the committee had held a strategic meeting with all governorship aspirants at the APC State Secretariat in Ilorin ,adding they were comprehensively briefed on the electoral processes.
He said the engagement also provided an avenue to address concerns raised by aspirants to ensure an inclusive and transparent process.
“We are fully prepared to conduct a free, fair and transparent governorship primary election across the 16 local government areas of Kwara State today.
“Voting materials will be distributed before Jumat prayers, while voting will commence simultaneously in all local governments after the prayers.
“The committee is committed to conducting the exercise in strict compliance with directives of the APC National Headquarters and in accordance with established party guidelines,” he said.
The chairman stated that the committee made efforts to encourage consensus among the aspirants, but remained ready to conduct a credible election if consensus was not achieved.
He stressed that the committee remained the only body duly authorised by the party and relevant laws to conduct, conclude and report on the primary election.
“We held a strategic meeting with all governorship aspirants at the APC State Secretariat in Ilorin where they were thoroughly briefed on the electoral process.
“The engagement also afforded aspirants the opportunity to raise concerns and seek clarifications, all in the interest of ensuring an inclusive and transparent process.
“While efforts were made to encourage consensus among aspirants, the committee remains fully prepared to conduct a credible election should consensus not be reached,” Obanikoro added.
The former minister further announced that local government election officers appointed by the committee across the 16 councils would converge to receive election materials and commence the voting process accordingly.
He reiterated the committee’s commitment to fairness, transparency and the overall success of the party, urging all stakeholders to conduct themselves peacefully and in the spirit of unity.
“The committee is the only body duly authorised by the party and relevant laws to conduct, conclude and report on the primary election.
“Designated Local Government Election Officers appointed by the committee across all the 16 local government areas will converge to receive election materials and commence the voting process accordingly.
“We urge all stakeholders, party members and supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and in the spirit of unity as we work together for the success of our great party,” he said.
NAN recalls that the APC governorship primary in Kwara was expected to feature prominent aspirants seeking to succeed the incumbent administration in the 2027 general elections(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)