Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), Chairman
of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), has advised
the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to yield to the
demands of state governors of the party to conduct indirect primaries in their
states ahead of the 2019 polls.
According to him, the APC may
lose power in 2019 if the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s rift with the governors
from the party are not resolved
The governors, who are in favour
of voting by delegates, are reportedly spoiling for war with the national
leadership of the party through their various state chairmen.
The governors want states to
exercise their right to conduct indirect primaries in picking the party’s
candidates for the 2019 general elections against the position of the party
leadership as stated by the party’s Acting Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena.
The party’s leadership has
directed that all candidates be picked through direct primaries.
In an interview with Daily
Independent newspaper, Sagay, who is currently in the United States, said the
party could not afford to go to war with the state governors who are critical
stakeholders in the party, with just few weeks to the general elections.
Sagay said the APC leadership
could not afford to lose the election to the opposition Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP), and advised the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to listen to
the governors’ demands by accepting indirect primaries in the selection of
candidates.
“I will urge the party to think
of the consequences. In this case, I will advise the party to acquiesce to
their demands for indirect primaries rather than direct primaries.
“We need to be pragmatic on this
issue and, also, they have to think of the future. If they do anything now and
go against the government or the party, it will not bode well at all. So, we
have to be pragmatic about these things.
“If there is such a threat and
they are likely to carry it out, I will advise the party to accept indirect
primaries rather than direct primaries.
“The election is around the
corner. If they don’t listen to the governors’ demands, the consequences are
that the party may lose power.
“If we stick to principles and
you lose power, you are out of power and all the indiscipline and
mis-governance we experienced under the PDP will come and haunt us. So, I
believe the party should concede to them,” Sagay said.
Mr. Sagay! In as much I try to see wisdom with what you are saying. I would think that if there is sincerity about the government wanting to be different from PDP in particular and rule by the law, then the party should proceed with direct primaries. If I understand clearly, direct primaries will give all aspirants to go into contest rather than indirect primaries where candidates will be picked. To me I think indirect primaries is self serving and dictatorial. You should not be worried about losing power. You should be known for good and great principles. We don't have more than 36 governors (about 22 of APC inclusive). If they all connive to work against the party discipline, so be it. They will pay the consequences. Why the fear, since the State governors think that they are alpha and omega, they should not be afraid to go into direct primaries. Nonsense!
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