Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the Deputy National Organising Secretary of the APC, Chidi Duru, said while the party might lean towards consensus, it remains open to aspirants willing to test their popularity.
“It is not that we are likely, we will have a consensus. That is an indication of the APC being a democratic party. But should it happen that there is a member of the party who would like to throw his hat in the ring? He is more than welcome,” he said.
Duru, however, noted that in line with democratic norms, incumbent leaders often enjoy the advantage of seeking re-election, particularly where party structures and members are satisfied with their performance.
He explained that the principle of “right of first refusal” was tied to performance and the need for political parties to field candidates who align with their ideology and manifesto.
“The reason for this, and I have always advocated that, is the call on political parties to ensure that those they give the ticket of the party are those who will carry out to the fullest its ideology and manifesto to the tilt. Because if they do, they will then be re-elected. They will have the right of first refusal, and they will be the people who will be presented to the electorate to vote for them.
“But if they are unpopular candidates, that is if they are people who did not perform to the liking of the citizens, it means that the political party can’t risk having those people occupying the offices, whether it is a national legislative office or executive office.
“The tendency will mean that the party will lose that election. So, it is a call to duty, and that is what then recommends the option of first right of refusal,” he said.
On whether the consensus approach could extend to governorship and other elective positions, Duru said he personally supported granting incumbents the opportunity to seek a second term.
“It is my personal view that executives who have done one term and have an opportunity for a second term should be granted the right of first refusal for the reasons I have espoused.
“It is on that basis that political parties are kept on their toes to ensure that those who occupy offices deliver on the mandate of the party, knowing fully well that those occupying those offices, when it is time for re-election, will be offered the automatic ticket, right of first refusal, and be presented to the electorate in the given constituency.
“So there are two things that go for it. One, the party is vigilant. The party holds those in positions accountable to deliver on the mandate given them. And then the motive that comes with the next election, of which they have a right to recontest, is that if they do not perform, then they will lose the election. So, there is something that goes for that first right of refusal,” he stated.
Addressing concerns that automatic tickets for incumbents could trigger internal discontent, the APC chieftain pointed to constitutional provisions backing second-term bids.
He said, “It is not for nothing that the constitution provides the possibility for elected governors and the president of the country to run for a second term. I believe that party members will always understand that once it’s a constitutional provision, you cannot deny or exclude the possibility of second re-election.”
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