Newspaper review: APC's direct primaries: Governors, aspirants move against Oshiomhole

macfranc007 September 03, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Naija news 24/7 Tunde Ososanya

The headlines of mainstream Nigerian newspapers for Monday, September 3, are focused on the displeasure of some governors on the platform of the APC over the decision of the party to adopt direct elections on its forthcoming congresses and presidential primaries, President Buhari's declaration that he is not afraid of free and fair election in 2019 among others.

Vanguard reports the the rift among the state governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), other chapters of the party and Comrade Adams Oshiomhole-led national working committee, has been widened by the decision of the party to adopt direct elections for its forthcoming congresses and presidential primaries.

The governors were said to have met on Sunday, September 2 in Abuja and agreed to distance themselves from the earlier decision of the national executive committee.

Newspaper review: APC's direct primaries: Governors, aspirants move against Oshiomhole

Vanguard newspaper for Monday, September 3. Photo credit: snapshot from NAIJ.com
Source: Depositphotos

The Nation on its part reports that President Muhammadu Buhari declared on Sunday, September 3 that he is not afraid of free and fair elections because such credible process brought him to power in 2015.

The Nation newspaper for Monday, September 3. Photo credit: snapshot from NAIJ.com
Source: Depositphotos

The president was said to have made the statement during an interactive session with members of the Nigerian community in China.

This Day also reports that the ruling All Progressives Congress is having an internal crisis over the mode of primaries adopted by the party.

Newspaper review: Backed by governors, APC state chairmen move against direct primary

This Day newspaper for Monday, September 3. Photo credit: snapshot from NAIJ.com
Source: Depositphotos

Some aggrieved state chairmen of the party ignored threat of sanction by the Adams Oshiomhole-led national working committee of the party and met on Sunday, September 3, to deliberate on the way forward.

The Guardian reports that a member of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), who sought anonymity, stated that sooner than later, personnel of the FRSC could be armed.

The source said: "The FRSC has built its armoury in Gwagwalada Abuja, while there are weapon rooms in all the commands of the corps.

"We are waiting for government to gazette the approval and equip the armoury in line with the act that established the corps.

The essence of the ongoing training and workshop for the personnel is to prepare them on how to comport themselves while bearing arms on duty.”

The Guardian newspaper for Monday, September 3. Photo credit: snapshot from NAIJ.com
Source: Depositphotos

The Punch also reports that opponents of the direct primary method announced by the national working committee of the All Progressives Congress met with stakeholders of the party at Barcelona Hotel in Abuja on Sunday, September 3, to deliberate on how to best confront the issue.

Before the meeting, the party's national working committee had issued a statement signed by the acting national publicity secretary, Yekini Nabena.

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The statement read in part: “We want to state clearly that the meeting which has been fixed for 2 pm (on Sunday) is illegal and an attempt to puncture the sincere efforts being made by the Adams Oshiomhole-led NWC to reposition our party ahead of the 2019 general elections and to ensure unity, equity and justice in the party.

“The outcome of such meeting which is already known will be a nullity and we admonish our members to disregard such meetings in the interest of the party. It is illegal to call such meeting outside the purview of the constituted authority."