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Tag: All Progressives Congress

  • Bamidele on thank-you tour of Ekiti Central

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Opeyemi Bamidele has begins a tour of the Ekiti Central Senatorial District to thank constituents for their  solidarity during his trying period.

    The former House of Representatives recently returned from overseas where he was recuperating after sustaining wounds from gun shots at a rally in Ado-Ekiti, capital of Ekiti State.

    Opefemi, former Lagos State Information and Strategy Commissioner, visited Efon, Ekiti West, Ijero, and Ado-Ekiti. He was also at the Isan country home of Governor-elect Dr Kayode Fayemi, from where he  returned to Iyin, his home town for a reception.

    The district was enveloped in anxiety, following the accident which occurred when Bamidele was preparing for the funeral of his father, whose body is still in the morgue.

    Despite his absence, Bamidele was named as the Chairman of Fayemi Campaign Team, which worked hard for the victory of the APC flag bearer at the July 14 poll.

    A leader of the party in Ekiti West Federal Constituency, Chief Joseph Alake, said the thank-you visitt  kicked off in Efon-Alaaye, the headquarters of Efon Council today. Bamidele will address party faithful.

    He said: “We are happy that Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele is back; hale and hearty. The anxiety is over. He is organising the thank-you tour to show appreciation to party members who prayed and stood by him.”

    Party sources said the five local governments are rooting for the senatorial candidature of the survivor in next year’s election.

    In 2011, the former commissioner had contested for the Senate. Other contenders included Senator Babafemi Ojudu and Mr. Dele Alake, his predecessor at the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy. The shadow poll conflict was resolved in favour of Ojudu, who is now presidential adviser on political matters. Bamidele was elected into the House of Representatives.

    In 2014, the former legislator defected from the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) to the Labour Party (LP), where he contested the governorship against Fayemi. The two of them lost to outgoing Governor Ayo Fayose.

    However, during the preparations for the recent governorship poll, Fayemi and Bamidele were working together for the APC, until the tragedy that nearly claimed his life.

    Bamidele has not unfolded any ambition for the Senate. He has also not denied media reports linking him and Prince Dayo Adeyeye with senatorial aspirations. Adeyeye, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC is from Ekiti South. In the past, both nursed governorship ambitions.

    Analysts believe that, if the duo are elected as senators next year, they are likely to throw their hats in the governorship ring when Fayemi completes his second term.

     

  • Buhari’s visit to China yielding results, says APC UK

    The United Kingdom chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said President Muhammadu Buhari’s official visit to China is yielding result.

    Mr. Ade Omole, leader of the chapter, in a statement yesterday in Abuja to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the President deserved commendation.

    He stressed that the visit was yielding results, especially with the assurances from the Joint Venture Partners handling the 3,050 Megawatts Mambilla Hydro-electric Plant project.

    Omole said the fact that work would begin on the project early next year, as assured by the contractors, was a good development that deserved praise.

    He recalled that President Buhari received the assurance at a meeting with Prof Lyu Ze Xiang, the president of Chinese General Chamber of Commerce (CGCC), the construction company handling the project, in Beijing, China during the visit.

    “Electricity is key to national growth and a major feature for business sustainability.

    “We understand how critical the Mambilla project is to your country and we will take a serious look at it and ensure that it succeeds because of its social and economic importance.

    “We understand the importance of this project to the economic and social well-being of Nigeria,” Xiang said during the visit.

    Omole said arrangements on the beginning of the project in early 2019 had reached advanced stage, adding that the Federal Government was doing everything to improve people’s lives.

    “The contractor has assured that pre-commencement work will begin with access to site and putting in place support infrastructure such as power, water and transportation,” he noted.

    Omole said when completed, the plant would provide 3050 megawatts of electricity, thereby boosting the power grid for development.

    NAN reports that President Buhari had asked for support from China at a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, for the country’s aspiration to build the 3050 Megawatts Mambila hydroelectric power project in Taraba State.

    This followed the signing of $328million for the Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone Phase II (NICTIB II) project by the two countries.

    The concessional loan agreement between Galaxy Backbone Limited and Huawei Technologies Limited (HUAWEI) was signed by Finance Minister Kemi Adesoun and Wang Xiaotoa, the director-general, International Development Agency, in the presence of presidents of the two countries.

    Nigeria and China also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the One Belt One Road Initiative (OBOR).

     

     

  • 2019: APC, PDP fight over ‘fake’ presidential aspirants

    A fresh row has broken out between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The PDP is accussing the APC of planting presidential aspirants in its fold .

    The APC yesterday rejected the claim and advised the PDP to leave it out of the challenges of choosing a presidential candidate from its deluge of aspirants.

    APC National Publicity Secretary Yekini Nabena told The Nation that it will never descend to the level of planting aspirants in any party as, according to him, was the tradition with the PDP when it was in power.

    He was responding to an online interview in which Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike said the opposition was aware that some of those jostling for the PDP presidential ticket were being sponsored by the ruling party and the Presidency.

    Wike said in the interview:  ”Those who are complaining about me are those who are afraid because they are the agents of APC. We know those APC presidential aspirants who are agents of PDP. We know them. The Presidency and the APC have planted people within our party, and we know it.

    “They planted Modu Sheriff and we fell for it. I bought into it, not knowing it was a set-up. And then when we realised, we said no, we have to fight it. And we fought it. I cannot again fall for the fool that I became under Ali Modu Sheriff. I know some of our presidential aspirants who are running on the sponsorship of the APC and the Presidency.”

    Wike did not name such aspirants.

    But Nabena faulted his  claim, saying the moles planted in its fold by the former ruling party, were back in PDP.

    The APC spokesman said: “That is not true. We will never descend to that level of planting people in the PDP. We all know that they were the ones planting people in the past. We have no business with whatever they are doing.

    “The PDP should face their problems and address them. We have better things to do than think of how to plant aspirants in their party. The people that left our party for the PDP were those they planted in the party and when they failed to achieve their aim of destroying the party, they left.

    “So, the PDP should face its problems and leave us out of it. We have nothing to do with the party and its aspirants”.

    Later in a statement last night, the ruling party challenged the PDP to name such aspirants, adding that the PDP in its despair over its failed 2019 election bid for the presidency has resorted to comical conspiracies.

    The statement, signed by Nabena, said: “Instead of putting its house in order, it is laughable that Governor Wike and his PDP cohorts are clutching on straws in their desperate bid to remain in public reckoning in the face of imminent 2019 defeat.

    “Meanwhile, we challenge Governor Wike to be brave enough and name the APC-sponsored aspirants among the crowd that have signified interest to run for the presidency under the PDP.

    “We urge the PDP to quickly wake up to the reality that the 2019 presidential elections have been won and lost.

    “The PDP is a dead party and we urge its members who share our progressive ideals to leave the sinking and rudderless ship and come over to the APC, which is rebuilding and repositioning the country in all facets.”

    Some of the aspirants in the PDP are: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Kaduna State governor Senator Ahmed Makarfi; Dr. Datti Baba Ahmed; former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido; former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa; ex- former Plateau State Jonah Jang and former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido.

    Others are former Senate President David Mark; Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwanbo; former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso; former Minister Tanimu Turaki; Senate President Bukola Saraki and Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal.

     

  • Election: Aspirants refute endorsement claims

    Some aspirants under the All Progressives Congress (APC) Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos have refuted claims that some candidates have been endorsed by the National Leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    According to them, members of the party who are interested in contesting for any position in the next year’s elections should be ready to undergo primaries.

    This, they said, is the stand of Asiwaju Tinubu when he addressed party members at the state secretariat in Acme.

    Arising from a meeting that involved virtually all the aspirants at White House, Oshodi, party faithful back the party’s call for Direct Primary to select candidates for the general elections.

    One of the conveners of the meeting, Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya, the Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Oshodi Chapter, said Direct Primary will give all party members sense of belonging.

    Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo thanked Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for the multi-billion naira projects ongoing in Oshodi.

    Oshodi residents, he said, cannot afford to disappoint the governor in the general elections, hence the need for party leaders and members in the council to put the house in order.

    Former Vice-Chairman of the council, Kayode Tinubu said the party leaders have assured members that nobody has been endorsed.

    “We do not want to have a repeat of the 2015 election where the party lost some vital elections in the council, hence our coming together as a party with our leaders to speak with one voice and assure our members that nobody has been endorsed,” Tinubu said.

    House of Representatives aspirant Olamilekan Adekoya said the aspirants are prepared for the primary.

    “The best we can do for ourselves in Oshodi-Isolo is to go for Direct Primary and more so, Asiwaju Tinubu has said it at Acme (the party secretariat) that he has not endorse anybody. So, nobody should tell us that he (Tinubu) has endorsed him,” Adekoya said.

    APC chieftain Wahab Sadiq called for unity among the aspirants, noting that the party leaders will be just to all of them.

  • Power should shift in Gombe, says aspirant

    Aliyu Haidar Abubakar is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State. To him, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should not rule the state beyond 2019. But, what is his chance at the primary? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the succession battle in the Northeast state.

    Aliyu Haidar Abubakar, an accountant, politician and Talban Nafada, has a vision for Gombe State. He believes the state has a brighter future, if the All Progressives Congress (APC) produces Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo’s successor in next year’s election.

    Having thrown his hat in the ring, he has been selling his manifestos to the people. The message on his lip is that a new dawn is around the corner.

    Many youths are rooting for the youth activist and youngest contender. This is partly due to the awareness created by the signing of the ‘Not-Too-Young-To-Rule’ Bill into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Abubakar is not the only person in the race. A prominent grassroots actor, HabuMuazu is also eyeing the ticket. There as some Abuja-based politicians who are also likely to join the race. Therefore, he will have to face a predictable hurdle at the primary. The shadow poll will be about the survival of the fittest.

    For the 45 years-old graduate of Business Administration from Bayero University, Kano (BUK), the contest is not a do or die affair. Yet, he is proud of his followership and successful consultations with stakeholders. He is popular. Between 2005 and 2016, he was an accountant with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) judiciary. But, he has maintained his close links with the grassroots. As a successful businessman, he has ploughed back to his society, thereby eliciting encomiums as a philanthropist.

    For many years, Abubakar had spent his life productively. He has been an advocate of women and youth participation in politics and economic empowerment. He has encouraged many youths to go to school and enlist in vocations of meaningful value. As he did these, he also offered financial assistance in aide of their endeavours.

    However, August 19 was a turning point. The technocrat-turned politician convened a bold assembly. At the Gombe Township Stadium, he mobilised the youths for political action. His method was effective. His message was that the time was ripe for them to take their political destiny in their hands. Abubakar sensitized them to the import of 2019 and the danger of selling their votes. In a voice laced with emotion, he called for the reevaluation of politics in Gombe. Noting that the youths are members of his primary and potent constituency, he advised them to shun thuggery and other vices. He said desperate politician who hire youths as thugs are destroyers of lives.

    The awareness campaign, which was tagged: “For us by us (FUBU),” was aimed at promoting debates on youth participation and sustenance of democracy. A committed Muslim raised by educated parents, Abubakar said politics should be accompanied by virtues. Also, he emphasised that apathy was dangerous, stressing that the voices of youths can only count when they participate in decision making.

    “I know the problems of our youths and women. Youths need education and work. I have the God-giving ability and resources to work with youths and women, to organise them, understand their wants and needs, and makes them his priority. But, many of the challenges can be better solved if I have political power,” he said.

    To the stakeholders, Abubakar is an example of courage. His entry into the contest has motivated other youths to follow suit. Indeed, he has been encouraging young people to seek for elective positions to reposition the state. This, he said, is in exercise of their constitutionally guaranteed rights and privileges under the constitution.

    Besides, the aspirant said apart from serving as an example to the youths, he has offered himself for leadership as part of his service to God, the state and humanity. “Gombe State should be our ultimate focus. Irrespective of whatever political party that is in power, what must be paramount is the development of the state for all. When there is hope for all to benefit from the development of our state, then, Gombe will be self-reliant and a better place to live,” he added.

    The next governor of Gombe will face many challenges.  The sate, which prides itself as the Jewel in the Savannah, is a very small and sparsely populated state. It is not a rich state. But, it is blessed with a very fertile land, mineral resources, and opportunities for investment and economic growth. To observers, Gombe can only benefit from these bounties of nature when there is good governance and outstanding leadership.

    Abubakar has called for political attitudinal change. He said the old approach to governance must change.  “I would like to implore all the people of Gombe State, irrespective of any political affiliations, regional or tribal heritage, to change our attitudes, embrace hope and work together for the common good of the state,” he stressed.

    Urging the youths to gird their loins, he said: “As youths of today, we should play a part in shaping the policies which will make the future better for everyone.”

    However, the aspirant said youths should not perceive public office an avenue for private accumulation. He said they should participate in the political process by voting according to their conscience. He said if the youths fail to embrace these imperatives, democracy may be endangered. “It is time for the youths to wake up, resist the temptation to be used as tools for destruction by politicians that would dump them thereafter and see themselves as tools of unity and development, “ AbubakaR added.

    Youths should also shun vote buying and selling in the interest of democracy. Abubakar said: “Vote selling is like selling ones conscience and rights. That is why I decided to mobilise the youths to sensitise them on the need to be careful against being used as agents of vote buying by desperate politicians. It is on record that all dirty political activities like political violence is hatched by politicians using the teeming jobless youths.”

    He added: “Monetisation of politics must end with the present generation. We must be seen to be playing by the rules, we must practice politics with decorum”.

    Many participants at the forum applauded the aspirant, saying that  he is an icon of hope for the development of Gombe State. They pointed out that he will be a great asset, if he becomes governor,  adding that he has outstanding leadership qualities and believes in an all-inclusive governance.

    A student, Inuwa Saleh, who described the experience as inspirational, said Abubakar is a dynamic leader. “We have a lot to look forward to and we are quite optimistic that Haidar belongs to the same generation with us. So, we can relate with him better. And this is the beginning of a new era for the youths in Gombe State. “He is an embodiment of many things; he represents hope, positivity, progress and above all, he has clearly demonstrated that he is truly God sent to add more meaning to the life of his people.”

    But, what is Abubakar’s chances at the primary and next year’s poll? The Gombe APC is factionalised. The contenders are heating up the party with their struggles for the ticket.  A political analyst, Joel Ishaya, said: “In a political party with so many power blocs, it takes an exceptionally neutral person with a high sense of maturity and exposure to merge the factions.”

    He said Abubakar has no alliance with any group and bears no allegiance to any faction, pointing out that  his allegiance is to the people.

    “It is glaring that we have a candidate whose commitment and allegiance is to the people and he has maintained that touch with the grassroots and the everyday people on the streets . APC requires a seasoned person with exceptional human qualities to be able to wrestle power from the ruling PDP in the state and the best person is Aliyu Haidar Abubakar, Talban Nafada” he added.

     

  • APC Delta: The countdown begins

    As we steadily approach the 2019 general election, morale and confidence is high in Delta State. There is a ground swell of hope and belief amongst the people that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been bestowed with the sacred mandate to deliver power and good governance to the state. Towards this end, the leadership of the APC has worked assiduously to actualize this mandate.

    However, while the work done by the leadership of the party in the state is highly commendable, it is not yet Uhuru. There is still work to be done. The battle to recover the mandate from PDP which they have consistently robbed the people of, will be tough. Let no one be deceived, we wrestle against a principality that has perfected the most sophisticated form of electoral malpractice. Their nineteen years of unproductive, repressive and oppressive governance in the State has not only drained the economy but has also conditioned most people to be politically apathetic – a state where citizens show indifference and a lack of interest in participating in political activities.

    The challenge before us as a party is how to arouse the interest of the people so they can be actively involved in the process of governance. We must counter their mendacity with the truth, for as George Orwell stated “in a time of universal deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act”. Only the truth can set Delta State free from the clutches of executive recklessness and wastefulness that has characterized the state for the past years of PDP reign.

    We must remind them of the steady achievements recorded by the APC leadership in neighbouring Edo and Lagos States. Achievements that the opposition (PDP) would have the ignorant and gullible believe were nonexistent. But their politics of calumny has not and will not distract the administration from their resolve to diligently serve the people who voted them into power. The President’s unflinching commitment towards achieving a transparent and accountable government has trickled down to all APC led states in the country.

    But the situation in Delta has remained unchanged. We have the familiar foe of corruption and greed. At this critical time in our state’s history, Deltans must realize that the PDP government has never had the interest of the people at heart; they are concerned with themselves.

    As the election draws closer, all indicates that the PDP is drawing perilous confidence in an assumed status as an electoral goliath. They are reluctant to deliver the dividends of democracy to the good people of Delta State. Knowing the precarious situation we find ourselves it is important that the affairs of governance are entrusted to the best minds. That is why gubernatorial interest shown by men such as Victor Ochei, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh and Professor Pat Utomi is a welcome development. These are people of proven track records in public service and would be able to steer back the ship on course from this political and economical Bermuda triangle the cankerworm years of PDP plunged the state into.

    In Delta North, the name Victor Ochei needs no introduction. He was Aniocha North Constituency representative as far back as 2003 eventually becoming Speaker of the House of Assembly in 2011. Besides his gigantic experience in public service, Ochei also has the advantage of youth required to turn the fortunes of the state around.

    Ojougboh is widely considered as the Messiah Delta State needs. He has an abundance of political experience having served in numerous political capacities at both the Federal and State level. There is no doubt that he will bring his experience to bear in redirecting the sinking ship of the state.

    Prof Utomi’s legacy in the academic world is enduring. APC in the state counts itself lucky to have such an academic colossus within its ranks. His record in the public service is unblemished. There is no doubt in his ability to return Delta to greatness, and to make us shine again.

    I urge all Deltans not to give up hope. Help is closer than ever.

    By Felix Eshalomi

    Lagos.

  • 2019: APC offers Shekarau Kwankwaso’s seat

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday offered former governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, the senatorial ticket for Kano Central District in next year’s general elections.

    The offer was part of the terms reached by both sides which culminated in Shekarau formally parting ways with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday.

    The Kano Central District is currently represented by Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso who though won the election on the platform of the APC, recently defected to the PDP.

    The embattled Senator is also believed to be eyeing a return to the Senate in the event that he loses at the PDP presidential primaries.

    The Nation gathered that last-minute efforts by the PDP to stop Shekarau from leaving were rebuffed by the former minister.

    Sources said he shut his doors against the PDP and its national leader, Senator Bukola Saraki, who doubles as Senate President.

    It was learnt that PDP and Saraki had made spirited efforts in the last 72 hours to reach out to Shekarau with a view to averting his defection to APC.

    The only concession made to Shekarau by PDP was said to be a slot in the seven-man Caretaker Committee of the party in Kano State.

    The PDP’s face-saving concession came after the legally elected PDP State Executive Committee was unilaterally dissolved by the National Secretariat of the party despite a court order.

    The National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday led a high power delegation of the party to Kano to woo Shekarau.

    The APC was said to have tabled its offers to Shekarau as a sign of its readiness to welcome him into its fold.

    The terms include automatic integration of Shekarau’s group into the APC structure in the state; automatic Senatorial ticket for Kano Central, commissioner slots in the Kano State Executive Council, many seats in the House of Representatives and State House of Assembly and Federal appointments, among others.

    It was gathered that there will also be ministerial slot(s) if APC government is re-elected in 2019.

    A top source said: “APC delegation went to Kano in order to beg Shekarau to join our party where he has like minds with progressive inclination.

    “Do not forget that he was a long-standing associate of President Muhammadu Buhari in the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

    “We considered him a prized politician who can make an electoral impact in any political party. What PDP does not value, we went for it.

    “After preliminary engagement in Abuja, we decided to formally invite him into a party he deservedly belongs.”

    Responding to a question, the source, who was central to the talks with Shekarau, said: “Like a suitor to a bride, we made some concessions to the ex-governor.

    “For instance, we offered him automatic senatorial ticket for Kano Central District seat which was given to Kwankwaso in 2015 after he lost the presidential primaries of APC to President Buhari.

    “The party also expects Governor Abdullahi Ganduje to accommodate Shekarau’s supporters with commissioner slots in the Kano State Executive Council.

    “The APC will give slots for House of Representatives and House of Assembly and federal appointments to Shekarau and his supporters.”

    Asked about Shekarau’s response, the source added: “The ex-governor said, ‘Don’t worry; you will soon hear from me.’ This was the assurance he gave us.”

    Meanwhile, prior to receiving the APC delegation, there were indications that Shekarau had shut his doors against PDP and the National Leader of the opposition party, Dr. Bukola Saraki, who is the President of the Senate.

    A reliable source close to Shekarau said: “PDP not only decided to expand its Caretaker Committee to accommodate the ex-governor, it sent emissaries but Shekarau shut his doors against the party. He was sad that the PDP defied a court order.

    “Also, Saraki made spirited efforts to contact Shekarau but he could not get in touch with him. The ex-governor foreclosed any further talks with PDP.”

     

  • 2019: APC stakeholders insist Cross River North retains governorship ticket

    Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the northern senatorial district of Cross River State, have insisted that in line with the zoning formula of the party, the 2019 governorship ticket must remain in the district.

    The resolution was contained in a five point communiqué issued at the end of the northern APC stakeholders meeting held in Ogoja Local Government Area.

    The APC leaders argued that the governorship ticket of the party is still domiciled in the north as the party is operating an eight-year zoning formula, which has been used to fill positions from national to ward levels.

    “The Cross River North All Progressive Congress (APC) acknowledges that, the APC is a fair and just party. That, they acknowledge that there is an existing zoning structure within the nation, state and other components of the country that has led to the relative growth and success of the APC in the state and the country, generally.

    “That, the Cross River North All Progressive Congress (APC) expresses faith in the collective existence of various components of the state in the light of justice, fairness and equity.

    “That, Cross River State, being a component of this stability and growth of the party, the Cross River North All Progressives Congress (APC) expects and anticipates that other parts of the state should respect the existing zoning template.”

  • Delta APC factions disagree on mode of primaries

    The two factions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State are pulling in different directions  over the mode of primaries for the selection of candidates for the 2019 elections.

    While the  Chief Cyril Ogodo-led  State Working Committee (SWC) opted for  direct primaries,the rival faction loyal to  Jones Erue  said it was for indirect primaries.

    Rising from a meeting in Asaba on Thursday, the Ogodo faction hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for “repositioning Nigeria to greatness” and the national leadership of the party for “their recent decision to entrench internal democracy in the Party through the approval for the use of direct primaries in choosing our flag bearers.”

    It resolved that “the Delta state APC hereby adopts and affirms the use of direct primaries for choosing all our flag bearers.

    “The above decision affirms our party’s disposition and desire to make our elections in 2019 and beyond truly reflect the will of the people as there cannot be democracy without the people’s participation.”

    At a separate meeting however, the Erue faction said it unanimously adopted indirect primaries as “reasoned, responsible and absolutely necessary.”

    It added: “The indirect primaries system is a necessity in Delta State due to some unique conditions.

    ” First is the absence of up to date registers that is trusted by majority of our stakeholders for the purpose of credible direct primaries.

    “SEC agrees with our leaders and stakeholders that in the manifest absence of up to date, clean or credible registers, the system of indirect primaries is necessary.

    “Indeed, SEC agrees with our party’s leaders and stakeholders that we do not have the luxury of time to collate and clean up our ongoing massive membership registrations before the primaries. “It is our reasoned position that we must avoid any self-inflicted chaos that may likely arise from excluding so many newly registered members because of the obvious lack of sufficient time to collate and clean up the ongoing registrations.”

    Besides, the faction  raised security concerns to support its adoption of indirect primaries.

    It said its  adoption of indirect primaries  was also  to “deny the desires and designs many of private individuals who, pretending to be officials of the Delta APC, engaged in unauthorized and fraudulent membership registrations.”

  • APC and direct primaries

    Hurriedly cobbled together into a coalition to wrest power from the then ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the centre in the run up to the critical 2015 general elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) appeared to have rapidly exhausted its historic possibilities with its realization of its primary aim of becoming the country’s new ruling party.  The legacy parties that coalesced to constitute the APC apparently never had a common conception either of the progressive ideology that was supposed to weld them together or the philosophy of change that was promised to be the driving force of both its style and substance in government and which elicited such high expectations among Nigerians.

    Thanks to President Muhammadu Buhari’s personal asceticism and aversion to corruption (mind you, I am not saying he is a saint) the degree of venality and sheer pecuniary banditry in public life has been substantially reduced under the APC while there is a more serious commitment of resources to ameliorating the plight of a large number of the poor and vulnerable, infrastructure renewal and expansion as well as addressing the country’s severe security challenges.

    Yet, there is no discernible, deliberately and carefully fashioned as well as systematically and methodically implemented plan by the APC to achieve fundamental value re-orientation or sustainable behavioural change both at the individual and institutional levels. If there is, it has certainly not been effectively communicated to the public. The party also has to take more meaningful steps towards removing the structural and constitutional impediments to the practice of true federalism in the country. This is the minimum condition necessary for actualizing any concrete change that goes beyond the superficial exchange of PDP faces for those of the APC in public office.

    As the legal term of its first national and state executives was coming to an end, the APC approached a historic juncture. It could either choose a new, refreshing, revitalizing and rejuvenating path or opt to mummify itself in the seal of operational inefficiency, organizational incoherence and inefficacy as well as ideological insipidity exemplified by the erstwhile Chief John Odigie-Oyegun-led National Executive of the party. Interestingly, a not insignificant number of members of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) preferred the latter option.

    The real Buhari suddenly showed up at this critical time. Casting aside his taciturnly and seemingly disdainful disposition to party politics, PMB asserted his leadership of the party and insisted that the constitution both of the party and the country must be adhered to and intra party elections held to party executive offices at all levels. That principled stand nailed the coffin of the tenure elongation lobby. It steered the APC away from the ultimately self-immolating path it seemed bent on charting.

    It certainly would have been disastrous for the APC to have entered the electoral fray next year in a complacent and somnolent state of mind numbing itself to the seething discontent eating deep into its sinews. The intra-party congresses and conventions enabled these grievances and dissensions come to the fore rather than being dangerously hidden and repressed with future negative and more damaging consequences.

    Again, the defeat of the tenure elongation agenda and the attendant holding of the APC congresses and national convention facilitated the speedy exit from the party of disgruntled elements who believed that their interests could not be actualized within the APC. This is surely not illegitimate since politics is most times about the pursuit of private interest dressed in seductive altruistic garbs.

    Yes, there has also been a flurry of defections to the APC mostly from the PDP.  Many of those moving to the ruling party are seeking refuge in the new perceived ‘Noah’s Ark’ from the haunting flood of indictments and relentless prosecutions by the anti-corruption agencies particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).  This indeed poses a grave moral dilemma for the APC. Many wonder how the party can credibly claim to be fighting corruption and yet gladly, even enthusiastically, welcome persons indicted for alleged corruption into its fold. It is clearly unrealistic to expect the APC to reject members seeking to join the party especially those with a strong electoral base.

    It appears that those persons who see membership of the APC as granting them immunity from prosecution and possible punishment for corruption have apparently not learnt the appropriate lessons from the fate of ex-governors Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame currently serving jail terms for corruption. The austere and inscrutable General from Daura is unlikely to bat an eyelid or lift a finger if they are found guilty of corrupt practices despite their migration to the ruling party.

    Within a very short while of his emergence as National Chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s invigorating and rejuvenating influence is being felt both within and beyond the APC. The party is gradually being stirred awake from its organizational stupor. Both ministers and national legislators of the party are being made to realize that they hold their positions by virtue of the fact that they belong to a political party or were appointed by someone who won election on the platform of a party.

    The party is gradually becoming, once again the centre of gravity around which both the members of the executive and legislature belonging to it revolve. And Oshiomhole is obviously learning very fast the art of diplomatically asserting the supremacy of the party without necessarily resorting to the confrontational or hectoring tactics of the latent radical trade unionist in him.

    One of the most momentous decisions taken by the Oshiomhole-led National Executive of the APC so far is to utilize the method of direct primaries in picking candidates for elective offices at all levels with the exception of states where the majority of stakeholders opt for consensus or indirect primaries as permitted by the constitution of the party. This is indeed a revolutionary step to enthrone card carrying members of the party as the true sovereigns and owners of the party.

    If Oshiomhole and his NWC were actuated by a desire for concentration of power at the centre or opportunities to utilize his position as a means of accumulation, then the consensus or indirect delegates system would have been the preferred option for the NWC.  Empowering every party member to have a say in the emergence of candidates for elective offices decentralizes power within the party, re-federalizes the party structure and minimizes although not totally eliminating the influence of money in the candidate selection process.

    Of course, there is understandable resistance to this radical change from some quarters within the party who want the retention of the status quo. Oshiomhole has the responsibility of persuading and convincing the vast majority of party members that the direct primary method is in the best interest of the party. It is the best way of ensuring inclusiveness in the intra-party elections and limiting the possibility or efficacy of protest votes in general elections.

    Luckily, PMB has shown the way by not objecting to direct primaries in choosing the party’s presidential candidate. All levels of the party should certainly follow the president’s example. Osun State has already blazed the trail in showing that direct primaries are indeed feasible and practicable. The fear of insecurity can certainly not be an excuse. Otherwise, a persuasive case can also be made not to hold the 2019 general elections, which are even more all encompassing than intra-party elections, for security reasons.

    Those who claim that they do not have a reliable data base of party members have a point for exemption from direct primaries given the shortness of time. But this is an indication of leadership ineptness, which does not do the image of a self-proclaimed modernizing party of change like the APC any good.

    There are many factors that stand the APC governorship candidate in Osun in good stead for the September 22 governorship election. With a B. Sc degree in Insurance and an MBA from the University of Lagos, Alhaji Isiaka Oyetola is certainly knowledgeable in financial and economic management, which is crucial in a post-Aregbesola era. As Chief of Staff in the Aregbesola administration for over seven years, his office was critical in the conceptualization and implementation process of infrastructure projects and social welfare programmes, which makes him well placed to sustain and improve on the legacy of Aregbesola in this regard.

    Given his natural reticence, restraint and mature temperament, Oyetola is reputed to be a consummate negotiator with the capacity to maintain harmonious labour-government relations. Again, Oyetola has over 30 years experience in the private sector having run a solid and successful business before being appointed to public office. Not given to oratory or loquacity, the APC candidate is a restrained and competent technocrat in the mould of a Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) or Akinwumi Ambode, both highly accomplished successors of the visionary Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos.

    All these factors pale into insignificance, however, beside the fact that Oyetola emerged through direct primaries garnering the support of no less than 127, 000 party members who already have a stake in the governorship election and will surely feel motivated to ensure their party’s triumph in the general election by participating enthusiastically in the exercise.