Enugu APC insists on indirect primaries

…Says those against are enemies of party
The Enugu State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) says there is no going back on its decision to adopt indirect primaries and consensus for election of its candidates for the 2019 general elections.

The party explained that it lacked the financial weight to conduct direct primaries, hence its decision to adopt the indirect primary option, describing those kicking against indirect primary option as enemies of the party.

Throwing his weight behind the decision of the Enugu APC chapter, the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu disclosed that about four hundred million naira will be required to conduct successful direct primaries.

Okechukwu said though the Enugu APC under the leadership of Dr. Ben Nwoye was not afraid of the direct primary option, he explained that the party cannot afford the money that would be needed for the option.

Speaking with journalists after a meeting of stakeholders of the party in the state, the Enugu State Chairman of the APC, Dr Ben Nwoye disclosed that after state chapters were directed by the national leadership of the party to adopt the option they will use for the primaries, he swung into action and convened a meeting of the state working committee where all they looked into all the options.

Nwoye said at the end of the meeting, the state working committee chose the indirect primary option for the conduct of the primaries of the party.

Dismissing the recent adoption of direct primaries by some people under the auspices of Enugu State APC Stakeholders, Nwoye said the National Secretariat made it clear to state chairmen of the party to go to their respective states to choose the option they would use for the primaries.

Nwoye therefore urged party faithful to disregard the outcome of the meeting, arguing that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema who convened the meeting lacked the powers convene such meeting.

He said it was unfortunate that few weeks to the primaries of the party, some people led by the minister have intensified efforts to remove him for his selfish interest, alleging that they were seeking dissolution of the State Working Committee of the party despite the fact that the primaries were around the corner.

Meanwhile, stakeholders of the party met at the Enugu APC Secretariat yesterday and endorsed the decision of the party in the state to adopt the indirect primary option for election of flag-bearers of the party for the 2019 general election.