Osun Guber Poll: Tinubu Backs Direct Primaries For APC
BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has endorsed the National Working Committee (NWC)’s decision to adopt direct primaries in choosing its candidate for the September gubernatorial elections in Osun State.
Asiwaju Tinubu said on Tuesday in Lagos that the direct primary arrangement will not only deepen internal democracy in the APC, but also assist in firing-up party members ahead of next year’s general election.
After screening aspirants eyeing the party’s ticket for the September 22, 2018 Osun gubernatorial election, APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole announced the decision to adopt direct primary option in choosing its candidate for the forthcoming poll.
In a statement by his Media Officer, Mr Tunde Rahman and titled ‘Internal Democracy: Improving the Nomination Process’, the APC Leader said though the party’s Constitution provides for both direct and indirect primaries, the direct exercise presents a more democratic and participatory option.
The statement, cited by Forefront, said the NWC’s resolution is a ground-breaking step that affirms APC’s democratic inclinations, adding that involving all APC members in nominating its candidate will ensure the party chooses the right candidate for the governorship polls.
“It will also serve to galvanise the party membership for the general election that lies ahead.
“Moreover, direct primaries will serve as a future deterrent to those who might have tried to corrupt the delegate system of obtaining nominations”, the statement said.
The APC chieftain further explained that; “With that system, the temptation to ‘buy’ delegates was an ever-present weakness. Now, such a venal undertaking will prove much too costly and uncertain to be entertained as feasible strategy.
“I am sure party members in Osun welcome this decision for it shines the rays of democracy more fully upon them.
“May this decision not be peculiar to Osun, but stand as the new way of our Party. The nation and the APC will both be better for it.”
Tinubu said that the decision took courage and conviction, as it bucked the old ways to bring about something better and new.
“When the history of this moment is written, those looking back on this decision will say that it was an inevitable natural consequence of party evolution, ” he said.
Tinubu, who praised the party’s National Chairman, Comrade Oshiomhole, for leading the party toward greater democracy, said increased participation of all party members in key decisions that affect them is commendable.
“From inception, our party has held to principles of internal democracy, and by the open and fair conduct of our conventions, we have distinguished ourselves from all other political parties.
“While we have achieved more than others with regard to internal democracy, there is still more to be done in order to perfect our internal procedures and mechanisms.
“This consideration was a key factor in the election of Oshiomhole as party chairman.
“Core to that mandate is the improvement of democracy within the party so that we may become even better representatives of the people”, he said.
