Politics

Aggrieved APC Members Call for Review of NASS Primaries

By Web News 205

By Oluwakayode Banjo

Five out of the Governorship Aspirants under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State, have called on the National Working Committee of the party to conduct a thorough review of the House of Representatives primary election conducted over the weekend.

The Aspirants, who include a Former Deputy Governor of the State, Mr Rauf Olaniyan, Mr Hakeem Alao, Prince Musbau Asanike, Mr Akeem Agbaje and Dr Usman Bakare, made the call at a news conference held at the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

Reading a communique on behalf of the aspirants, Mr Hakeem Alao lamented that the manner the party’s primaries have been conducted so far in the state was not in line with the APC’s constitution and the Electoral act.

Mr Alao urged the National Leadership of the party to urgently intervene and address all grievances arising from the exercise.

“The manner in which these primaries were conducted is antithetical to the spirit of the Electoral Act and the APC Constitution. These instruments enshrine fairness, transparency, and equal opportunity for all aspirants. Imposition and intimidation cannot substitute for democratic participation.”

Also speaking, the Former Deputy Governor, Mr Rauf Olaniyan maintained that the underlisted aspirants were not against consensus or any other arrangements, but all stakeholders and members should be carried along to ensure fairness.

“We affirm that we are not opposed to transparent consensus primary. On the contrary, consensus remains our preferred option because it provides the most credible path for the emergence of the best candidate. It is a mechanism that reflects the collective will of party members when properly conducted. Whatever Asiwaju Bola Tinubu says is binding as National leader. As loyal members of the APC, we hold that the voice of our leader and President is final in matters of party direction. Whoever he picks, after due consultation and consideration with leaders and stakeholders across the state, will be our resolve. We will abide by it without reservation.”

Mr Olaniyan appealed to President Bola Tinubu to direct the APC leadership in the state to uphold democratic principles and ensure a level playing ground for all aspirants.

“We urge Mr. President, as the national leader of our party, to compel the National leadership and the Oyo State APC leadership to conduct free, fair and credible primaries in line with his well-known democratic credentials.”

Mr Olaniyan added that the priority of the 5 aspirants was the overall success of the party in the state and reaffirmed their commitment to the APC and its ideals.

Edited by Titilayo Kupoliyi

Politics

We won’t shift deadline for primaries – INEC tells political parties

By Web News 507

Against speculations of caving in to pressure from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’s electoral umpire, INEC, says it will not extend the deadline set for political parties’ primary elections.

In its timetable and schedule of activities released in February for the 2023 General Election, the commission had slated April 4 to June 3 for the election of flag bearers of all political parties for the 2023 elections.

With about 28 days to the deadline, the nation’s leading political parties, APC and PDP, appear not ready for their primaries. While APC is still selling the nomination forms to aspirants, the PDP is screening eligible aspirants.

However, the two major parties are reportedly lobbying INEC to shift the dates.

In an unusual rush, not less than 23 and 17 persons have respectively shown interest in the presidential tickets of the ruling APC and the PDP.

With the growing number of aspirants and agitations on zoning of the top seat, leaders of both parties are under immense pressure to handle the matter with care or risk full blown crises.

However, the INEC, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Festus Okoye, on Thursday, warned political parties against daring its resolution on the fixed deadline.

“Given the importance of the exercise to the emergence of candidates for the various elective positions for the 2023 General Election, it is imperative to remind political parties that they have one month from today to conclude their primaries.

The deadline remains Friday 3rd June 2022. While urging the parties to ensure a rancour-free and transparent exercise, the Commission reiterates that the deadline is firm and fixed.

“Nominations for Presidential and National Assembly elections shall be submitted through the INEC web portal from 10th to 17th June 2022 while Governorship and State Houses of Assembly nominations shall be submitted between 1st and 15th July 2022,” Mr Okoye said.

The commission also confirmed the full compliance of the 18 political parties in the country to section 82(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.

The section mandates all political parties to notify the commission on dates for their conventions, congresses, and primaries for the purpose of nominating candidates for various elective offices.While both the PDP and APC have not clearly disclosed where they intend to zone the presidential seat to, the dates for the primaries tentatively remain May 28 and 29 for the former and 31 for the latter.

Premium Times/Olaolu Fawole

Politics

APC Governorship Primaries Election Committee Lands in Benin

By Web News 736

All is now set for the conduct of All Progressives Congress primary election to elect a candidate for the September 19 governorship election in Edo State.

The Party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Chris Azebamwen stated this while speaking with Radio Nigeria in Benin City.

Mr. Azebamwen confirmed to our correspondent that the committee was already on ground and the state chapter of the party was pleased by efforts so far put in place for a successful conduct of the primaries tomorrow.

The state party spokesperson dismissed the rumour of consensus candidate insisting that three aspirants are contesting for the direct primary.

 He assured  that the party would give all aspirants a level playing field for members of the party to elect their choice as candidate to face the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party in the main governorship contest.

He also said all logistics have been put in place to ensure security of lives and properties during and after the primary election.

Adewumi Faniran