From Dan Amasingha, Minna

As the ward and local government congresses of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) draw nearer, major stakeholders have unanimously resolved that the next Niger State Governor should come from Niger-South Senatorial District.

Their decision which was contained in a secret meeting held over the weekend in Minna was said to maintain and respect the zoning arrangement that is operational in the State.

 According to a source at the meeting, The ruling party  decided to  abide by the unwritten power sharing arrangement in the state between the three senatorial districts

“We  decided to abide by the zoning arrangement  because it is noteworthy that even the major opposition party (PDP) in the state are planning to bring out their gubernatorial candidate from Niger South (Zone A).

The source maintained that the zoning policy operational in Niger State has kept the State as one big peaceful political family envied by other states

“The political history and zoning formula in Niger State starting from 1979 with the administration of of Alhaji Awwal Ibrahim (Niger East) and lasted till 1983, after which their came Military takeover till 1992 when Alhaji Musa Inuwa (Niger North) took over as Governor of the State. Another Military rule was experienced which lasted till 1999 when Engr. AA. Kure (Niger South) became the Governor of Niger State from 1999 – 2007 and later Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu 2007 – 2015. And the Barton was passed unto our amiable Governor and Party Leader from Niger North, Alh. Abubakar Sani Bello from 2015 – 2019 and was massively returned elected in 2019.

“So, it is only natural that in the spirit of fairness, fairplay and equal representation, Niger South be allowed to produce the next Governor in 2023. While party positions from the State, Zone, Local Governments and Wards be swapped across the three Geo-political Zones in the state and among competent and dedicated members of the party as enshrined in the party constitution”

“All that is expected of us is for the process to be  monitored by Stakeholders from their respective wards to enhance growth and development of grassroot politics and politicians.

Confirming the unfolding political re alignment  going on in the State  the caretaker  committee Secretary, Abdullahi Suleiman said “I want to equally seize this medium to thank the various Stakeholders of the party for their wonderful contributions towards the progress and development of the party in the State.

“Mr. Governor while stating his position and throwing his weight behind the Leadership of the APC in Niger State, National & State Assembly Members, Critical Stakeholders; he made bold to say that Niger State will always lead in terms of development being it political or economic,  the caretaker committee Secretary declared.

He explained that, the Governor Abubakar Sani Bello expressing his joy over the activities of the Caretaker Executive Committee for taking advantage of the crisis rocking opposition party in the state and receiving high profile defectors.

Meanwhile, former Speaker of Niger State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Isah Kawu, who was a Former Gubernatorial Aspirant under ADP in 2019 and   Prof. Mohammed Yahaya Kuta, Former SSG has formerly defected to the ruling party.

The Caretaker committee Secretary noted the recent gain of the party ,  is  evident that the bottom up approach initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari and adopted by Mai Mala Buni led Committee is yielding positive results as the party continue to wax stronger”

Hon Suleiman disclosed that the State . Governor appreciated the National and State Assembly Caucus and other Critical Stakeholders for their unity and cooperation while, warning against any individual or group of people who have intention of causing mayhem in the course of the upcoming Congress to have a change of mind or face the full wrath of the Law.