Bandawaire tells APC leaders: Consensus is not democracy.

Kabiru Bello Bandawaire, the candidate for the Taraba North Senatorial District seat, has publicly opposed the consensus arrangement being considered before the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries, calling instead for direct and transparent primaries.

Speaking to journalists on Friday in Jalingo, Bandawaire said his ambition is driven by a desire to represent the people rather than to serve government interests.

He argued that a consensus approach undermines democratic principles and warned against any interference from Governor Agbu Kefas in the selection process.

According to Bandawaire, democracy flourishes when party members are free to choose their candidates through open primaries.

“First and foremost, it is not about the government, it is about the people. I am representing the interest of the people,” he said.

“On this issue of consensus, I am not consenting to it at all. All I want is direct primaries, and direct primaries should be carried out under a transparent process. The beauty of democracy is that the majority is always welcome.”

Bandawaire also questioned why a three‑term incumbent senator would favor consensus over a competitive primary election.

“What is the fear about? If you opt for consensus in the primary election, what about the general elections? That is not democracy,” he stated.

The APC aspirant cautioned Governor Kefas against meddling in the party’s internal process, warning that such actions could have negative consequences. He maintained that the governor should allow party members to decide their candidate through direct primaries without interference.

Responding to comments made during a recent stakeholders’ meeting that party primaries waste resources, Bandawaire said the responsibility for funding the process lies with the party, not the state government. “The party sold forms, we purchased forms. I purchased a form for N20,000,000, as did others, so the party has the responsibility to fund its activities, not the state government,” he said.

He further challenged the governor to test the consensus arrangement by asking the incumbent senator representing the northern district to step down for him. “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 added.