APC chieftain warns against imposition of candidates

A chieftain of the APC in Lagos State, Mr Adeola Jokomba, has warned the party against imposition of candidates in the upcoming local council elections in the state.

Jokomba, a former Chairman of the Ikorodu North Local Council Development Area, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday.

“APC lost about eight seats in the state’s legislature to the opposition and this is most likely due to putting forward candidates that are not popular choices.

“We will not be doing our party any good if popular will doesn’t prevail in primary elections for the coming local council polls,’’ he argued.

The party stalwart told the APC to adopt programmes that would appeal to the populace to enjoy massive support.

“Globally, smart political parties are listening and engaging in delivering popular demands and not so much pushing forward their aspirations far above the wish of the masses.’’

Jokomba described Lagos voters as diverse and sophisticated to be treated with disdain by any political party hopeful of capturing power.

He said that the era of imposition of candidates in an election had become unfashionable.

“Representative democracy and elections in our country is gradually mutating and nearing global best practices.

“So, those who still wallop in the old ways of politics will not have a place in the new order,’’ he said.

Jokomba advised the APC to remodel its structures to remain relevant and maintain its current hold on power.