By Lola Idahosa, Kaduna
The All Progressive Congress (APC) State chairman Mr Bala Branabas (Bantex) and his Secretary Bashir Saidu have shunned one of the governorship aspirants of the party in the state ,Alhaji Salihu Mohammed Lukman who came to submit his nomination form.
It would be recalled that the Chairman and the Secretary who according to the guber hopeful was duly informed when he was to pick the form but failed to show up, has again refused to show up to receive his nominations form from him though they were equally informed again.
Alhaji Lukman who said he was not worried about the ill treatment the chairman and some of his excos are giving him, expressed optimism that inspect of all that, he will not stop to carry on with his aspiration.
“I am a party man and am in this contest to effect a change. It is rather unfortunate that the state chairman has failed to regard me in spite of all my efforts to ensure that there is unity in the party.
“It is no longer news that the state chair is working for a particular aspirant which is rather unfortunate because he is supposed to give equal treatment to all of us as a leader.
Newsdiaryonline gathered that the state chairman was in town as at the time the guber aspirant was submitting his nomination form and deliberately refused to show up. A source confirmed that he was sited in the house of one of the aspirants.
But the Zone 1 chairman Abubakar Rilwanu who stood in for him said, “the state chairman and Secretary are busy somewhere and that is why he is not here, but on his behalf, we are assuring you that the party will provide a level playing ground for all the aspirants.”
Meanwhile, the Director General of the Salihu Mohammed Lukman campaign organization, Mr. Tom Maiyashi who expressed his dissatisfaction with the attitude of the state Chairman, said what the state Chairman is demonstrating is capable of tearing the party in the state if not addressed by the national body.
“The state Chairman is not demonstrating any sign of a good leadership by preferring a candidate above all when the primary is yet to be conducted.”
Alhaji Lukman who is the director general of the Progressive Governors’ Forum while addressing the crowd shortly after submitting his form said that he has visited 17 local government areas of the state as part of his consultation and has gotten the support of the delegates who are the actual voters.
“I am a party member and will remain a party man even after the primaries regardless of whatever becomes the outcome, but am optimistic I will emerge victorious”, he said.
