By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Niger state chapter has finally settled for Alhaji Yahaya Mohammed Adam Guregi as gubernatorial candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections and putting to an end arguments between Guregi and Alhaji Usman Idris Makanta over who to fly the party's flag in Niger state.
Usman Idris Makanta popularly known as, "Shinkafan Nupe" and his supporters have been laying claims to the NDC state Governorship slot because according to them, Makanta name is recognized by Google as the NDC guber hopeful.
Though he did not participate in the primaries as he was yet to resign from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) party as at the time Guregi appeared as sole candidate for screening, Makanta and his supporters believes that with or without participating in the primaries he is the most suitable for the top job in Niger state due to popularity advantage.
To end the disputed slot, the NDC national headquarters sent a three man national committee under the chairmanship of the Vice chairman South-South, Barrister Fredrick Owotorufa, Dr. Stanley Boroh as Secretary and Aliyu Dantala as member to conduct the governorship substitution primaries which took place in Minna on Tuesday.
The visiting team had told the party supporters that the election was supposed to be direct primary but because it was sole candidature following the electoral act and the party guidelines he was hereby declared as the candidate of the NDC Governorship for the 2027 general election in Niger state.
Owotorufa described Guregi as a man who has the capacity, passion, acceptability, zeal, experience to defeat the incumbent, Mohammed Umaru Bago of the All Progressive Congress (APC) leadership in the state as Guregi will provide security, and developmental services Nigerlites needed if voted in come next year's elections.
While pleading on members and supporters of NDC to unite and remain undivided ahead of the political challenges ahead without which it will be difficult for the party to upstage the APC, Owotorufa solicited for unalloyed support from members whom he commended for peaceful conduct, patience and understanding throughout the process.
In his acceptance speech, the NDC Governorship candidate in the state Yahaya Mohammed Adam Guregi assured the party members that he will not disappoint them by restoring peace, stability and above all, ensuring that security will be top priority if voted in.
Also speaking, the state party chairman, Alhaji Baba Inuwa Ahmed said Idris Makanta who had been laying claims to the party's candidature resigned voluntarily and left the NDC for reasons best known to himself. NNL.
