Kabiru Bello Bandawaire, a candidate for the Taraba North senatorial seat, has publicly rejected the consensus model that some party members are pushing ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries. Speaking to journalists in Jalingo, the aspirant argued that a direct, transparent primary is essential for a credible democratic process and warned against any interference from Governor Agbu Kefas.
Bandawaire said his motivation is to represent the people of Taraba North, not to advance government interests. He contended that a consensus arrangement would undermine party democracy and deprive members of the right to choose their candidate freely. “First and foremost, it is not about the government, it is about the people. I am representing the interest of the people,” he said. “I am not consenting to consensus. All I want is direct primaries conducted in a transparent manner. The beauty of democracy is that the majority is always welcome.”
The aspirant questioned why a three‑term incumbent senator would favour a consensus over an open contest, suggesting that such a move signals an avoidance of genuine competition. “If you opt for consensus in the primary, what about the general election? That is not democracy,” he added.
Bandawaire also cautioned the governor against meddling in the party’s internal affairs, noting that interference could have “negative consequences.” He emphasized that funding for the primaries is the responsibility of the APC, not the state government. “The party sold forms; we bought them. I paid N20 million for my form, as did others. The party must fund its activities, not the state,” he explained.
In a pointed challenge to Kefas, Bandawaire invited the governor to test the consensus proposal by asking the incumbent senator to step down in his favour. “Since I am not consenting to consensus, let the governor try whether the northern senator will consent to consensus by choosing me, and see whether he will agree. If he is not going to agree, why should I agree?” he said.
Bandawaire’s stance underscores a broader tension within the APC over candidate selection methods ahead of upcoming elections. The outcome of the primaries will likely influence the party’s prospects in Taraba North and may set a precedent for how internal disputes are resolved in other regions.
As the APC moves toward finalizing its primary schedule, attention will turn to whether the party embraces the direct primary model demanded by Bandawaire or proceeds with a consensus approach favored by some senior figures. The decision will have implications for intra‑party democracy and could shape voter sentiment in the forthcoming general elections.
