2019: APC may loss Oyo with indirect primaries – Shittu

The Minister of Communication and gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo State, Barrister Adebayo Shittu has said that the decision of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to implement the indirect system in the selection of candidates that will fly the party’s governorship flag ahead of the 2019 general elections might lead to the party losing the state.

He also said that the decision is to edge him out of the 2019 governorship race in the state.

The minister who also wondered why Oyo state was singled out for the indirect primaries in the whole of the South-western states, added that it will only be fair for the party at the state to tow the direct primaries line as the issues surrounding the leadership of the state chapter of the party was still being contested at the courts.

Speaking to journalists at the National Secretariat of the party in Abuja after meeting with the party leadership, the Minister charged the National Working Committee (NWC), to rescind its decision in the spirit of fair play for the interest of the party.

He said: “Barrister Adebayo Shittu, the leading Governorship aspirant of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Oyo state rejects the recommendation of the National Working Committee of the APC for Indirect Primary in the state.

“Those to serve as delegates for the proposed Indirect Primary constitute the bulk of those handpicked for the ill-fated Congresses conducted in Oyo state where they were selected in a parallel congress.

It should be recalled that the said congresses produced two sets of delegates of which only the supporters of Governor Ajimobi, rather than those of Barrister Adebayo Shittu were recognized by the former national executive of APC.

This had led to litigation in the court in which is yet to be concluded. In this circumstance, it will only be fair that the party implement Direct Primary model to allow for fairness and unbiased process, for all candidates both factions of the Party in Oyo State.

“ls it not curious that of all the South Western States, it is only Oyo that is recommended for Indirect model which is deliberately being implemented to exclude Barrister Adebayo Shittu from having a fair opportunity to contest, participate and win in the Gubernatorial Primary Election.

If Mr. President who has a country wide constituency has agreed to submit himself for direct primary, why would Governor Ajimobi’s faction refuse direct primary which allows all aspirants in the party to test their popularity and give party members a fair opportunity of voting for the candidate of their choice”, he queried.

The Minister charged the APC to “abide by the rule of law and respect the court processes instead of creating future legal hurdles for the party, as the Court may eventually nullify the outcome of any Indirect Primary Election”.