Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, says he has not endorsed any candidate for the 2019 general elections.
He also defended the choice of direct primaries by the state insisting that it “is in the best interest of stakeholders.”
According to him, the process would provide level playing ground for those who wished to contest elective positions.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Minna by his Chief Press Secretary, Mallam Jibrin Ndace, and made available to The Next Edition, the governor said the direct form of primaries was in line with the All Progressives Congress (APC) guidelines.
“APC guidelines allows for direct, indirect or consensus in primaries elections.
“However, in the State Executive Council (SEC) of the party, we resolved to adopt direct primaries for all elective offices.
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“This collective decision was to ensure fairness, level playing ground and to give all party members sense of belonging.”
Speaking further, he said: “I have consistently made my stand known on the forthcoming primaries and indeed the general elections in 2019, that I have no anointed candidate for any elective office.
“My position has not changed. I believe that power belongs to Almighty God and he gives it to whoever he wishes at any time.”
He urged party members, aspirants and other stakeholders to see the adoption of direct primaries as capable of deepening democracy in the state.