By Mohammed Umaru Bago to adopt a consensus method for selecting All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the upcoming local government elections has drawn criticism.
Governor Bago announced last Saturday during a Ramadan fast-breaking event with stakeholders that APC would not hold primaries but instead submit a list of candidates directly to the State Independent Electoral Commission. He urged party members to finalize selections at the local level.
However, the move has unsettled some APC members who had been preparing for primaries. Reports indicate that many aspirants, caught off guard by the decision, have begun lobbying party executives to secure candidacy.
Public affairs analyst Yahaya Mohammed acknowledged that while consensus is legally recognized, it falls short of democratic ideals. He pointed out that, under the 2022 Electoral Act, all aspirants must sign an agreement before a consensus candidate is confirmed.
Similarly, activist Dauda Abdullahi argued that in Nigeria, consensus often translates to imposition. However, he added that if the process genuinely reflects the will of the people, it could foster party unity and avoid disputes.
With local government autonomy on the horizon, observers warn that any imposed candidate who lacks popular support could face legal challenges, potentially disrupting the electoral process.
