Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the zoning arrangement in the state, insisting that it remains critical to peace and political stability, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) adopted consensus as the mode of selecting party officials for its forthcoming congresses.
The governor spoke on Tuesday at an expanded meeting of the APC State Executive Council held at the Government House, Lafia, where party stakeholders unanimously resolved to adopt consensus for the selection of officials at the ward, local government, state and national levels.
Sule, who described himself as a product of zoning, said he would be the last person to tamper with an arrangement that has continued to guarantee peaceful coexistence among the diverse interests in the state.
“Being a product of zoning, I will be the last person to undermine it. The zoning arrangement has brought stability and harmony to our state, and we must continue to respect it,” the governor said.
He commended party leaders and stakeholders for adopting consensus, noting that the decision would significantly reduce tension and challenges usually associated with congresses.
“By adopting the consensus mode of selection, you have reduced all the challenges we are likely to face. It means that decisions will be taken collectively by stakeholders and brought to the party leadership,” Sule added.
Earlier in the meeting, the APC State Chairman, Dr. Aliyu Bello, explained that the gathering was convened to allow wider consultation and interaction among stakeholders, as well as to brief them on developments within the party, particularly following the emergence of a new national leadership.
The meeting was expanded following a motion moved by the party’s legal adviser, allowing non-members of the State Executive Council to participate, in line with the governor’s directive for inclusive decision-making.
After deliberations, Hon. Hassan Abubakar Nalaraba, representing Awe/Doma/Keana Federal Constituency, moved a motion for the adoption of consensus as the preferred mode of selecting party officials during the forthcoming congresses. The motion was seconded by the Deputy National Secretary of the APC, Professor Abdulkarim Abubakar Kana (SAN).
Former governor of the state and ex-national chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, presided over the voice vote, which resulted in the unanimous adoption of the consensus arrangement.
The meeting was attended by Senator Adamu, members of the National and State Assemblies, serving and former political office holders, party executives, and other critical stakeholders from across the state.