Kogi APC adopts indirect primaries despites protests
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Kogi state chapter said it has adopted indirect method of primary election to select credible candidates for the forthcoming general elections.
At a stakeholder’s meeting held inside Government House, the party resolved to adopt the indirect method of primary election.
Kogi state governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello assured the members and aspirants seeking for various elective positions on the platform of APC that he does not have any anointed candidates for the election.
Governor Bello reaffirmed that he is for all the aspirants vying for various elective positions under the platform of the party, saying whoever emerges at the primaries will be the candidate of APC.
He assured that the party will sponsor all the candidates for the general election to ensure that APC wins the contested positions.
“I have never anointed any aspirants for any position. Forms are already on sales, any interested member of the party who are willing to contest elective positions on the platform of APC in Kogi state should go and buy their forms. The party will create a level playing ground for all the aspirants so that we can achieve our set objectives,” he said
He cautioned the party executives in Kogi state against collection of money from aspirants in the name of rendering assistance to them, warning that whoever indulges in such act will be sanctioned.
According to him, “The era of extorting aspirants is over. We will sanction anybody who goes against this warning. Whoever is caught will face the full wrath of the law no matter who she or he is in the party”.
Earlier, the state Chairman of APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello said the aim of the meeting was to allow members and stakeholders choose one of the suitable options for the conduct of primary election of the party.
The Chairman noted that APC in Kogi state has adopted indirect primaries, describing the option as cheap, credible and easy to conduct.
He commended the governor for his support that led to the success of the party at the recently conducted by-election into Lokoja/Kogi Koton-Karfe federal constituency.
The Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Matthew Kolawole said direct primaries can only throw the party into confusion, saying the indirect method is appropriate for the party in the state based on the political environment.
He therefore moved for the adoption of indirect primaries in Kogi APC which was unanimously accepted by the members and stakeholders of the party.
