PRIMARY OR NOTHING: Consensus Talks Collapse as Taraba APC Heads for Direct Primaries

The much-anticipated consensus arrangement within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State has suffered a major setback, as aspirants across the state reject calls to step down, insisting instead on participating in direct primaries.

Findings by Taraba Truth and Facts indicate that barely hours to the commencement of the party’s primaries, the consensus option promoted by the party leadership is fast losing ground, with many aspirants describing it as impractical under the current circumstances.

A frontline gubernatorial aspirant, Chief David Sabo Kente, warned that imposing candidates through consensus could destabilise the party, stressing that aspirants should be allowed to test their popularity through a transparent process.

At the federal constituency level, Hon. Leah Olusiyi Solomon, an aspirant for the Jalingo/Yorro/Zing seat, dismissed reports suggesting she had stepped down. She reaffirmed her determination to contest, urging party members to participate actively in the direct primaries.

According to her, the primaries provide a credible platform for party faithful to freely elect candidates of their choice.

Similarly, an aspirant for Takum 1 State Constituency, Hon. Dr. Taninga Audu Jankada, denied entering into any consensus agreement, declaring that his ambition remains intact.

“My covenant with the people of Takum 1 is intact and unshaken,” he stated, while urging supporters to disregard rumours of his withdrawal.

Investigations reveal that the consensus committees set up by the party recorded only minimal success across the three senatorial zones.

In the Central Zone, only a few constituencies, including Mbanga, Gashaka, Gassol 2 and Bali 2, produced unopposed candidates, while in several others, aspirants refused to step down despite prolonged negotiations.

A similar situation played out in the Southern Zone, where only Takum 2 and Wukari 1 emerged unopposed. In key areas such as Donga, Ussa, Takum 1 and Wukari 2, aspirants declined consensus arrangements, insisting on contesting the primaries.

Efforts to reach agreements for National Assembly positions also failed, as no consensus was achieved for both Senate and House of Representatives seats.

Sources within the party attributed the resistance to the heavy financial and political investments made by aspirants, making it difficult for many to withdraw at the last minute.

Despite the growing rejection, the State APC Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa, maintained that the absence of consensus does not signify failure but reflects the democratic nature of the party.

He assured that no candidate would be imposed without the consent of all aspirants, adding that the party would proceed with primaries if consensus efforts ultimately fail.

At a recent caucus meeting held at the TY Danjuma House in Jalingo and presided over by Governor Agbu Kefas, the party leadership reviewed the situation and granted the consensus committee additional time to continue consultations.

However, with time running out and positions hardening, it appears increasingly likely that the APC in Taraba State will resort to full-scale direct primaries.

For many observers, the unfolding scenario underscores might lead the party to a season of litigations on how candidates emerge.