The ward congresses of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Jigawa State were conducted in a peaceful atmosphere on Wednesday. Shehu Mu’azu, Chairman of the Ward and Local Government Congress Committee—dispatched from the party’s National Headquarters in Abuja—acknowledged the orderly conduct of the exercise.
Mr Mu’azu, who also oversaw the Screening and Appeal Committees, visited several areas to monitor the proceedings. He expressed optimism that the local government congresses, scheduled for Thursday, 19 February would maintain the same peaceful momentum.
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Ward Executive members were elected for the party across all 287 wards within the 27 local government areas of the state. The elections were conducted via consensus, a method confirmed by Mr Mu’azu as being in full compliance with the APC constitution.
Since positions were uncontested, winners were adopted through affirmation adherence to Party Constitution, he stated.
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Speaking to journalists following the exercise, Mr Mu’azu—who also serves as the Kebbi State Commissioner for Agriculture—justified the consensus approach.
“The party’s constitution provides that in a situation where there is no opposition for a position, we are permitted to adopt the candidates by affirmation, which is exactly what occurred today,” Mr Mu’azu explained.
He clarified, however, that this does not preclude competitive elections in the future. “Should there be multiple candidates in subsequent exercises, we will provide a level playing field for all aspirants.”
The Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Haruna Aliyu, who chaired the Local Organising Committee, commended Governor Umar Namadi for fostering an inclusive environment.
“During our stakeholders’ meeting preparatory to this congress, the governor insisted that the exercise must be allowed to run its natural course allowing all intested party faithful to contest” Mr Dangyatin noted. He attributed the seamless transition of the ward leadership to the trust in the Governor’s administration.
Mr Dangyatin concluded by stating that the successful congress signals a bright future for the APC in Jigawa, predicting “landslide victories” in upcoming general elections.
