- PDP Kicks Against Move
By Kolawole Ojebisi
Massive protests which erupted in Minna, the capital of Niger State on Wednesday, has heightened political concerns following Governor Mohammed Bago, the state’s governor’s nomination of a new chairman and commissioners for the Niger State Independent Electoral Commission.
Governor Mohammed Bago had announced the nomination in a bulletin released by his Special Adviser on Digital Media and Strategy, Abdullbarqy Ebbo.
The governor said all appointments were subject to confirmation by the state House of Assembly, adding that if confirmed, the commission would be responsible for the 2027 local government election in the state.
However, the Peoples Democratic Party*PDP) in the state has expressed its disapproval of the nomination citing the nominees allegiance to the APC for its stance.
According to the PDP, the nominees remained card-carrying members of the ruling party.
The new appointees were said to be former executive members of the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC).
While nominating them, the governor stated, viz; “Reference to the 23rd December 2024 executive correspondence to the Niger State House of Assembly on the composition of Niger State Independent Electoral Commission, the farmer Governor, Hon Umaru Mohammed Bago, has approved the appointment of the following to fill in the membership of the commission.
“Engr Mohammed Jibrin Imam, Chairman; Barr M.A Liman, Permanent Commissioner 1, Nasiru Ubandiya, Permanent Commissioner 2, Yahaya Idris Abara, Permanent Commissioner 3, Capt Mohammed Baro, Permanent Commissioner 4; Kabiru Tanko Zama, Permanent Commissioner 5, Barr Amina Guar, Permanent Commissioner 6, and Barr Ahmed Borgu, Permanent Commissioner 7.”
The PDP, reacting through the state Vice Chairman and Zonal Chairman, Niger North Zone ‘C, Yahaya Ability, said the party rejected the nomination of APC former officials into the NSIEC board.
Ability, speaking at a media briefing, questioned how Bago appointed a former APC state chairman and card-carrying member as NSIEC chairman.
“The nominated chairman of the commission was a former APC state chairman. He was removed and detained at the Niger State police command for some days for misappropriation of funds.
“This appointment cannot be accepted, because if a man that was sent packing by his party heads this commission, then other parties will be marginalised and oppressed in the forthcoming LG election,” Ability said.
The PDP stalwart reminded the governor of his predecessors’ actions in a similar appointment.
“Your decision to appoint the former APC chairman as the Niger State SIEC boss is a clear violation of fairness and democratic principles.
“Under Governor A.A. Kure, the NSIEC chairman was Alhaji Maman Auna, a civil servant.
“During the time of Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, it was Alhaji Danlami Dallatu, a neutral person.
“During the time of your party man, the former governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, it was Alhaji Baba Aminu, a civil servant, who headed the commission, ensuring free and fair elections.
“Why is your own different, imposing your will on the people without carrying everyone along? We disagree with this,” he said.
Ability called on the governor to reverse the appointment immediately to restore public confidence and ensure a level playing field for all.
Also reacting to the nomination, an opposition member, Sule Dauda, questioned the composition, declaring it a dictatorship in the making.
He said, “This is exactly why we must not encourage state police, it will be abused by state governors. How do they want the opposition to have any confidence in the electoral system?”
