Protesters from different Local Government Areas on Saturday stormed the Niger State Government House to the affirmation of candidates for the LG Congres of the All Progressives Congress.
The protesters vowed tocondemn leave the APC if the situation is not corrected.
It was gathered that in most local government areas across the state, there were protests against the affirmation of the executives.
The state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, was missing in his hometown in Kotangora Local Government Area when the Congress took place.
The Governor, who was supposed to be at his hometown, Kontagora, was seen at the wedding of the son of former Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Jibrin Ndajiwo.
He however went to observe the Chanchaga Local Government Area congress, where it was total affirmation, but left there immediately for the wedding fathia, which held at the Minna Central Mosque.
It was reliably gathered that all political appointees were mobilized to their various local government areas on Friday to ensure that the local government congresses held peacefully across the state and the directive given by the state governor on affirmation of the executives is strictly adhered to.
The protest against the affirmation directives took place in Shiroro, Suleja, Tafa, Lavun, Mokwa, Rafi, Munya, Agwarra, Rijau and Mashegu local government areas of Niger State.
In Lavun Local Government Area, most of the delegates were against the affirmation of the executives led by the Chairman, Mallam Mohammed Ndagba, chanting: “There will be mass exodus from the party if nothing is done.”
However, the State Chairman of the APC, Engr. Jibrin Imam, said the LGA congress is a huge success, adding that those protesting are members of the Peoples Democratic Party trying to play funny and cause problems.
Imam said: “If truly they are APC members, they should go back to Kutigi in Lavun LGA as delegate to participate instead of playing the script of the PDP.”
Despite the call by the delegates for voting, the affirmation order took the day, leaving the aggrieved members no choice than to board buses to the Government House in Minna to protest what they termed “irregularities”.
One of the leader of the protesters, a one time Chairman of Lavun Local Government Council, Mohammed Ibrahim Dakpanchi, said: “We are here to show the governor our grievances on the congress.
“All the 12 wards are represented here today.
“The elders and stakeholders.
“When ward congress held last, ours was not conducted.
“We wrote a letter to the governor that we want the congress conducted, but we got no response.
“The same group of people that did that rubbish last week are there today to repeat the same.
“People are not interested in the local government Chairman of the party.
“We are not against consensus, but if there will be any, the people should be consulted and carried along, but we weren’t consulted.
“Democracy is about consultation and rubbing of minds, but that wasn’t done.”
Dispelling allegations that they were sponsored by PDP, Dakpanchi said it is the view of Imam, adding: “What they are doing is not what the party guideline or rule says.
“We are not sponsored by the PDP or any other party, but we will leave the APC if the right thing is not done.
“This is what PDP did that made them fail.
“APC came and promised change, but they are following the tide of PDP.
“If this continues, what happened in PDP will happen to APC.”
Also, a youth leader and member of the party, Mohammed Yakubu, told journalists: “If nothing is done, most of us will go to other party.
“We are not useless politicians.
“We must be carried along.
“APC will collapse.
“We have the number.
“We will leave for other viable parties if these anomalies are not checked.”
The APC Coordinator in Niger State, Ray Murphy, said on Saturday at Okada Road in Minna that the gesture will further strengthen democracy.
According to Murphy: “I am deeply impressed with the affirmation method.
“When I asked them if they have other contesting candidates, they chorused no and I asked them again if they are satisfied with the candidate, they shouted yes.
“The gesture by the APC-led government and members of the people is worthy of emulation by other states.
“This will further strengthen the democracy process.”
Earlier, Bello commended members of the party for their peaceful conduct, adding: “It is rancour free, non violent and worthy of emulation.”