Stakeholders of the Mada ethnic nationality of Nasarawa State have called for transparency and fairness ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary scheduled for Sept. 29.

Dr Napoleon Saingbe, Chairman, Mada Council of Elders, made the appeal while speaking with newsmen on Tuesday in Lafia.

He faulted Gov. Umaru Al-Makura, for allegedly requesting his deputy, Mr Silas Agara, to step down from the governorship race for another aspirant.

Saingbe said the governor had met with the ‘Chum Mada’ Samson Gamu-Yari, asking him to impress on the deputy governor to step down from the race.

“We appreciate the governor’s desire to zone the party’s ticket to Nasarawa North for fairness and equity.

“However, Al-Makura’s request for his deputy, Silas Agara to step down from the contest for his preferred candidate Engr. Abdullahi Sule portrays his good intention in bad light and a smoke-screen to cover his interest.

“We, therefore, implore the governor to allow a level playing ground for all candidates in the zone to test their popularity and acceptability and for the delegates to freely exercise their franchise,” he said.

He noted that allowing a level playing ground for all aspirants at the primaries would determine the success or otherwise of the APC in the 2019 general elections.

The group, however, lauded the working relationship between the governor and his deputy, calling on Al-Makura to adhere to the letter and spirit of fairness, equity and Justice in the election. (NAN)