Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah, a formidable political figure and former representative for Kebbi South, has sent ripples through the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kebbi State by formally withdrawing from the party’s senatorial primary election. The two-term senator, a founding member of the ruling party, declared his exit from the contest, alleging that the primary process has been fundamentally compromised with a predetermined outcome.
In a strongly worded withdrawal letter dated May 17 and addressed to the Kebbi State APC Chairman, Abubakar Kana, Mr. Na’Allah explicitly stated that he possessed credible information confirming a severe lack of integrity in the scheduled internal party election. The APC had slated Monday for the senatorial primaries where the seasoned politician was expected to vie for the party’s ticket, hoping to secure a return to the prestigious Red Chamber for the upcoming electoral cycle.
“I am writing to painfully convey my withdrawal from the scheduled primaries of the All Progressives Congress for the Kebbi South Senatorial District,” Mr. Na’Allah articulated in his letter, underscoring the gravity of his decision. He further revealed that his initial entry into the race was not self-motivated but rather stemmed from considerable pressure and encouragement from his constituents, who demonstrated their faith by pooling resources to purchase his nomination and expression of interest forms – a common practice reflecting grassroots commitment in Nigerian politics.
The former lawmaker did not mince words in his criticism of the primary guidelines, dismissing them as “inconsistent with the established civilised standard of the democratic process.” He stressed that his participation in such a flawed exercise would directly contradict his deep-seated commitment to nurturing Nigeria’s nascent democracy. Mr. Na’Allah reminded the party leadership of his extensive dedication, having spent 14 years diligently contributing to building the APC’s foundational structures at both state and federal levels.
Senator Na’Allah, who first clinched the Kebbi South Senatorial seat in 2015 and secured a re-election in 2019, is a well-known personality in the political landscape. His last bid for the 10th Senate in 2023, on the APC platform, was unsuccessful, as he narrowly lost to Garba Maidoki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a keenly contested election.
As he navigates this critical juncture, the political stalwart urged his teeming supporters to maintain calm and remain law-abiding. He assured them that consultations are ongoing to deliberate on their collective next political move. Concluding his statement, Mr. Ibn-Na’Allah expressed gratitude to the APC for providing him with various platforms to serve the nation with distinction over the years. His withdrawal now leaves the Kebbi South senatorial primary wide open, with implications for the party’s cohesion and electoral fortunes in the state.
Originally sourced from Premium Times. This article has been rewritten for our readers.
About the Author
