In a significant political development ahead of the forthcoming general elections, former Minister of Power, Engineer Sale Mamman, has declared his full alignment with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), calling for the adoption of direct primaries in Taraba state.
Mamman Advocates for Direct Primaries
Mamman, a leading aspirant for the state’s top political office, emphasized that allowing party members to decide candidates through direct primaries remains the most credible and democratic approach. His position, as observed by The Guardian, came amid internal party efforts to adopt a consensus arrangement. Notably, the former minister was absent from a recent stakeholders’ meeting convened by the state governor. The meeting resulted in the formation of three committees tasked with facilitating the emergence of a consensus candidate for the party.
Skepticism Over Consensus Initiative
However, Mamman expressed strong skepticism about the outcome of the process, stating that the consensus initiative is unlikely to succeed. Instead, he urged the Taraba State chapter of the APC to strictly follow the guidance of the presidency and party leadership by prioritizing inclusivity and transparency through direct primaries.
Longstanding Party Commitment
Highlighting his longstanding commitment to the party, Mamman noted that he was instrumental in establishing the APC’s roots in Taraba state, tracing his involvement back to the era of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which later merged into the APC. Describing himself as one of the party’s earliest and most loyal members in the state, Mamman argued that his experience and contributions place him in a strong position to be considered for consensus—should the party ultimately pursue that route.
As political activities intensify in Taraba, Mamman’s stance is expected to shape ongoing debates within the APC over the method of candidate selection, potentially influencing the party’s strategy ahead of the polls.
