APC splits over mode of primary election

Adams Oshiomhole

The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has now split along ideological lines.

This followed decisions by the National Executive Committee (NEC) as regards the mode of the party’s primary elections.

The NEC had decided that: “Primary elections into all elective offices shall be by the Direct and Indirect Election or by Consensus. The use of the Direct and Indirect Primaries shall, however, depend on the peculiarity and need of a given State.

“The adopted mode shall now be applied to all categories of the Party’s Primary Elections i.e. State Assembly, Senate, House of Representatives and for the Governorship Elections”.

But many chieftains, elected officials and members of the party, have cried foul.

According to them, subjecting some states and positions to indirect primaries was to enable certain persons to call the shot and determine who gets what.

On Sunday, a statement by Yekini Nabena, APC National Publicity Secretary, confirmed that the NEC decisions have triggered internal crisis.

He said: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) has been drawn to an illegal meeting scheduled to hold on Sunday at Transcorp Hilton hotel in Abuja by some members of our Party organs, with a view to fault the decisions made by the NWC followed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) as regards the mode of the Party’s primary elections.

“We want to state clearly that the meeting which has been fixed for 2pm is illegal and an attempt to puncture the sincere efforts being made by the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole-led NWC to reposition our Party ahead the 2019 General Elections and to ensure unity, equity and justice in the Party.

“The outcome of such meeting which is already known will be a nullity and we admonish our members to disregard such meetings in the interest of the Party. It is illegal to call such meetings outside the purview of the constituted authority.

“The identities of those plotting such meetings have been identified and unless they desist from such they will be dealt with in line with the Party’s Constitution at the appropriate time.

“The NWC will resist any attempt to disrupt the current peace and harmony prevailing in our great Party after the exit of some members of our Party.

“We urge any member who is not satisfied with the decisions of the Party to utillize channels provided by the Party’s constitution to air their views.

“We remain focused in delivering good governance to Nigerians and above all ensuring the victory for our Party come 2019 and we will not be intimidated by the antics of a few in ensuring success for our Party”.

-Daily Post