As opposition party members in the country continue to flock into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the party’s Niger State chairman, Alhaji Aminu Bobi, has declared that defectors will not be given automatic tickets to the state’s 2027 general election.

He, however, assured that the party will give a level playing field for all aspirants willing to contest any elective office under the platform of the party, saying that “justice and fairness will be strictly adhered to in the conduct of our primaries.”

The chairman stated this on Tuesday when he received a member of the Tinubu/Shettima campaign council in the 2023 general elections, Barrister Mohammed Ndarani (SAN), at the party secretariat in Minna, the state capital.

Barrister Mohammed Ndarani was at the party secretariat with his supporters to submit his letter of intent to contest the Niger South Senatorial seat in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

Alhaji Bobi said that defectors are trooping into the ruling party just to get a platform to contest forthcoming elections, insisting that the majority of them have nothing to contribute to the success of the party.

According to him, “People are just trooping into the APC to seek election, but what we want are people who will help us build the party, not merely looking for a platform to seek election.

Last-minute defectors cannot contribute anything to the success of the party. Those who have nothing to contribute to the growth of the party are not welcome,” he submitted.

Bobi, however, maintained that APC will remain neutral in the forthcoming party primaries, assuring that the party will not bend the rules to favour any aspirant.

“APC has learnt a lesson from the mistakes of some political parties in the country. We will ensure justice and fairness in the conduct of our party affairs.”

Earlier, Barrister Ndarani had told the party chairman that he was at the party secretariat as a sign of respect to inform the party of his intention to contest the Niger South Senatorial seat in the forthcoming elections.

He said that, as a founding member of the ruling party since 2015 without switching his allegiance, it was time for him to seek the people’s mandate and to contribute to the development of his senatorial district, the state and the country in general.

He disclosed that his decision was informed by the overwhelming endorsement by the people of his constituency, especially the youths, saying that “I have no choice but to answer the call of my people.”

The legal practitioner, who was an active member of “One Nation for Asiwaju/Shettima”, a campaign organisation for Asiwaju/Shettima in the 2023 elections, pointed out that his entrance into the senatorial contest is not only to serve his people but also to add value to the party, adding that “the party needs resourceful people and I think I am one.”

He then assured the party in the state that as a card-carrying member of the party, he will remain a committed member and work for the success of the party in the forthcoming elections, whether he emerges as the party candidate or not, adding that “I will support the party at all levels.”

He therefore commended the party executives in the state for conducting successful party congresses in the state, stressing that “this is a testament that the party is on course to greatness. This is one of the most successful and rancour-free congresses in the country.”

He announced the donation of N10 million cash to the party and 40 bags of 50 kg rice to the party executives in the state for the Ramadan fast and Lent. (The Sun)