Lagos APC elders insist on direct primary

macfranc007 September 25, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Naija news 24/7 David Oladele

- Gubernatorial Advisory Committee of the Lagos state APC said the proposed direct primary for governorship aspirants is sacrosanct

- Two members of the committee, Abayomi Finnih and Tunde Samuel, said the decision was taken primarily to ensure that nobody is played out

- They maintained that the direct primary reflected the opinion and wish of the generality of party members across the 20 local governments

Gubernatorial Advisory Committee (GAC) of the Lagos state All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday, September 24, declared that the proposed direct primary for governorship aspirants is sacrosanct.

The Nation reports that the committee, which is made up of party elders and leaders from the three senatorial districts, said the decision on the direct primary is final, urging the contenders to brace for the exercise.

Two members of the committee, Abayomi Finnih and Tunde Samuel, said the direct primary reflected the opinion and wish of the generality of party members across the 20 local governments.

Finnih, a medical doctor, promised that the direct primary will be free, fair, all-inclusive and democratic.

He said: “The decision was taken in our meeting. We had a lengthy meeting presided over by our leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and we had some discussions about the on-going concerns about the aspiration for governor in Lagos state APC.

“After due and lengthy deliberations, we came to the conclusion that we should follow democratic norm and open the field for those who are interested. Three people obtained forms, filled and submitted the nomination forms and they should be prepared to participate in the direct primary of September 29.

“The decision was taken primarily to ensure that nobody is played out. Nobody is being adopted by anybody. Aspirants are free to go and contest in the direct primary. The party will guarantee a level playing field for aspirants. No special advantage will be conferred on anybody. A machinery has been set up by the GAC to ensure free and fair primary.”

“The decision is final. We held our meeting last Thursday. We adjourned. We resumed last Saturday. We came to the conclusion that we must be consistent; that everybody who has obtained the form should be allowed to participate at the primary.

“In a situation like this, you must continue to fall back on the population of party members. Our opinion reflects their opinion.”

Samuel, a retired university teacher, said the chapter decided to organise a direct primary to clear the insinuation of periodic imposition and anointing of candidates.

“Party supremacy is incontestable. Every time, they say Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is for imposition. This time around, we don’t want that insinuation. Party strategies can be reviewed, based on the reality on ground. The political kaleidoscope is changing.”

“We cannot claim to be democratic by imposing any candidate. As democrats, we should follow democratic norms and provide a level playing field. We don’t want to be seen to have adopted a candidate or have a preferred candidate.”

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On whether the Lagos APC has the logistics to ensure a hitch-free direct primary, Samuel said: “There is a committee in place to ensure a hitch-free primary. Anything that put the credibility of party in jeopardy will not be tolerated.

“Politics is not for the lilly-livered. APC is blessed with rational thinkers and philosophical kings. We are not afraid of crisis management. We will always ensure justice and fairplay.

“The opinion we gave is representative of all the members of GAC. Before taking decisions, the chairman of GAC usually consult and ask for opinions. That is institutional leadership style that is guided by situational logic everytime.”

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had reported that the UAC, a political group within the APC said it compelled the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to accept the adoption of direct primaries for election in the Lagos chapter of the party.

The group is the political machine of former national legal adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC), muiz Banire.

This was contained in statement signed by the group’s national coordinator, Niyi Akinsiju. The UAC commended “the former governor for turning this new leaf. his new embrace of the true values of internal democracy.”

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