Kano State governor and presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, Rabiu Kwankwaso on Tuesday, said only a transparent party primary can guarantee adherence to agreements reached between the aspirants and the party.
Kwankwaso said this while fielding questions from journalists after his screening by the Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu-led presidential screening committee.
The aspirant spoke against the background of a commitment the party extracted from all aspirants that they will abide by the outcome of the primaries and support whosoever emerges.
He explained that he and his colleagues were prepared to abide by the commitment they made with the party, as long as the primary is not only transparent but also seen to be so.
The aspirant said, “Agreement or no agreement, once there is a transparent (primary) election not only me but the other aspirants will support who ever emerges.
“When we were in the PDP in 1999, we had a transparent primary. I have gone round the country and I have interacted with people both within the PDP and the APC, I can assure you that there are people within the PDP that have endorsed my aspiration and are willing to vote for me if I emerge.”
He also claimed that 50 percent of members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party will vote for him if he emerges as the candidate.
Kwankwaso further explained that the party will be better served with him as candidate because of the support across party lines.
Ex Vice President, Atiku Abubakar who took his turn before the screening committee after Kwankwaso, expressed optimism about his chances.
Atiku described himself as the most prepared among the party’s aspirants not only for the party primaries, but also for the presidential race.
He said he has been on the campaign trail for about two months and has visited all but two out of the 36 states of the federation.
Commenting about the screening exercise, Atiku said it was thorough because he responded to questions about security, job creation and the economy among other things.
The aspirant also said he is a party man who was interested in its growth and development.
He noted that his policy document on how to solve the myriad of problems facing Nigerian when he gets elected was derived from the APC manifesto.
Former Head-of State, General Muhammadu Buhari who was the last to appear before the panel, expressed confidence about his chances to clinch the party’s ticket and also contest and win the presidential elections.
Buhari who addressed journalists after his screening said, he answered questions on his experience and plans for the nation.
He said, “I was lucky they (committee) asked questions about what I know. They asked me about youth unemployment which is bothering everybody. We have been going round the country my moral is very high.”
The former military ruler also expressed readiness to subject himself to the party primaries wherever the party decides the convention should hold. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com