2019 elections primaries: APC changes gear

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday said that the primaries elections into all elective positions would be through direct primaries for the coming 2019 elections.

The Governors of Plateau and Kogi States, Simon Dalung and Yahaya Bello respectively had told journalists after the party’s National Executive Committee, (NEC) meeting that the NEC adopted direct primary to choose its presidential candidate for 2019 election, while other elective positions would go through indirect primaries.

However, the acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Yekini Nabena on Friday said that “primary elections into all elective offices shall be by Direct Primaries”.

According to him, “NEC resolved to adopt Direct Primaries for the nomination of the Presidential candidate and all other Primaries.

“The Party’s constitution though provides for Indirect Election and Consensus, however, the use of Indirect Primaries is conditional and dependent on logistic impediments; peculiarities and need of a given State that makes it unable to use Direct Primaries.

“The State Executive Committee (SEC) shall in consultation with aspirants and other critical stakeholders of the Party in a given State forward for the consideration and approval by the National Working Committee (NWC) if Indirect Primaries is to be adopted.

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“The adopted mode shall now be applied to all categories of the Party’s Primary Elections i.e. State Assembly, Senate, House of Representatives and for the Governorship Elections.

“The request for Indirect Primaries must be signed by a majority of the State Executive Committee and critical stakeholders in attendance at the meeting where such resolution is reached.

“Direct Primaries will among others ensure fairness; create a level playing ground for contestants; eliminate corrupt tendencies usually associated with the delegates system and ultimately ensure full participation of party members at all levels”, the party acting spokesperson stated.