Published By Olukayode Idowu
Southern Borno Senatorial Aspirants on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Idris Durkwa has expressed shock over alleged imposition of candidates on delegates in the primary in the senatorial district.
Durkwa who lost the primary to incumbent senator, Ali Ndume during Saturday’s primary, In a press statement he personally signed and made available to our journalists in Maiduguri, said the entire processes beginning from the state House of Assemblies, House of Representatives and the Senatorial primaries in Borno South were marred with irregularities.
The statement read: “Gentlemen of the Press, as you are aware on the happenings that have characterized the All Progressives Congress, APC primaries in Southern Borno Senatorial District.
“Worrisome is that, the whole exercise in the zone, beginning from the House of Assemblies, House of Representatives and the senatorial primaries were not conducted in a free and fair atmosphere, as it were marred with irregularities and imposition of candidates at the detriment of the electoral Act and democratic participation.
“You all know that, I am a very loyal member and a stakeholder of our great party who have contributed immensely to its growth and development.
“Gentlemen, this was not the first time, I am contesting for a position on the platform of the APC. You may recall that in 2018, I contested for the position of the Governor of our dear State, and was short changed in the process by the powers that be during the primary election which produced the incumbent Governor Babagana Umara Zulum as candidate.”
He added: “As a patriotic citizen who believes in one Nigeria, and the concern I have for my good people in Southern Borno, I offered myself again, to aspire for the Senatorship in 2022 on the same platform of the APC, with the sole intention of salvaging my people from the bondage of poverty, lack of social infrastructures, poor educational system, bad road network, agricultural decay and injustice due to poor representation.
“Unfortunately, another set of gang up against my aspiration just like in 2018 primaries, became glaringly from the day of my screening before the screening panel of the party. You may wish to know that in 2018, I was screened and cleared to contest for the gubernatorial primaries. However, I was declared not qualified to aspire for the Southern Borno senatorial race by the panel without giving any constitutional reasons to back my purported disqualification.
“It took all my teaming supporters by surprise when they heard of my disqualification, but the truth manifested itself, as I was later cleared and declared fit to aspire by the party’s Screening Appeal Panel.
“As I prepared to set in motion, and mobilized my teeming supporters, political associates and friends for the campaign proper, an assassination attempt was laid on my entourage last Sunday, 22nd May, 2022 at about 9am by yet to be identified gunmen who laid ambush on us along Maiduguri- Damaturu road, in between Jakana and Mainok villages.
“In that ambush, two policemen in the entourage were gunned down on the spot, with several others sustained gunshot injuries. Besides, my personal vehicle was shattered with over 12 bullets, after setting ablaze one of the vehicles. Although, these killers are yet to be fished out by security agencies, I thank God and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased police officers, and May Allah comfort their families.
“More so, I am worried that a day to the primaries, hundreds of security personnel were mobilized by the State Government to Biu town who also took part in aiding the whole process at the detriment of delegates from exercising their franchise. Be that as it may, I have already make up my mind not to be used as scapegoats to shade people’s blood because of politics, as the blood of any Southern Borno person is worth better than any other interest.
“Unfortunately, I watched all the processes with keen interest and dismay that even before the senatorial primaries, the House of Assemblies and House of Representatives primaries were characterized with irregularities and imposition of candidates against the wishes of the people.
“Worst still, it is on record that at last hour, there were changes in the Delegates’ list from all the nine (9) local government areas of southern Borno by the powers that be with importation of some people or outsiders being used as delegates who affirmed candidates of their choice at the detriment of other Aspirants and their supporters.
“Surprisingly, was a text message I received from Governor Babagana Umara Zulum a day before the party primaries, which I concluded that, the governor who was supposed to be neutral, has already taken side against my aspiration and the wishes of Southern Borno people. The governor’s text read was as follows…….’Good morning my brother. I came back from Abuja yesterday and we have decided to provide support for the incumbent Senator Ndume to emerge as the candidate. However, power belongs to Allah and he gives to whom he will. Where feasible, please accept our decision and if not feasible, I hold no grudge against you. Thank you’.
“But with my determination to represent my good people of southern Borno, I decided to move on with my ambition to contest, despite all odds that herald my aspiration.
“Contrary to the Electoral Act 2022 Provisions, where the party is to hold a Special Congress in the Senatorial District with Delegates voting for Aspirants of their choice in a designated centre, unbelievably, we noticed that the exercise were perpetuated to be held separately in each of the nine (9) local government areas under the full supervision of officials appointed by the Borno State Government with high degree of impunity without the presence of the electoral committee.
“With these unwholesome developments, I wish to categorically state that; the whole process is a charade, as the outcome has already been undemocratically predetermined, which infringed on my constitutional Right. It has also impede on the 2022 Electoral Act Provisions.
“I therefore urge my teaming supporters to remain calm and be law abiding, as I continue with consultations on the way forward to come up with a critical position to seek for redress.”
