APC NWC to decide on mode of Osun gov primary on Monday

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7 years ago

Ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary for Osun State fixed for next week Thursday for the September 22 election, party members are still uncertain on the option the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole led National Working Committee would use to conduct the primary.

Speaking with Saturday Tribune on phone at the end of the NWC meeting on Friday, national publicity secretary of the ruling party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi said no decision has been taken on any of the options.

He, however, told our reporter that a position would be taken on Monday.

“ We didn’t take any position today, you can call me back on Monday, “ he said.

The mode of selecting the candidate has sharply divided the party in the state with a side led by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti insisting on use of delegates as done in all previous elections.

Another faction said to be led by the governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola and his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola are pushing for a direct primary which would entail having all members of the party in the 332 wards voting.

Addressing the party faithful on Wednesday while inaugurating the non-national working committee members the national chairman of the party had dropped the hint that three options were open to the party in the choice of its candidate: direct, indirect primaries and consensus.

He said: “We have a lot of options in our constitution. We have the option of direct primaries. By direct primaries, you remove the power away from delegates to the party members and so if you think that you can compromise the delegates and undermine the wishes of majority of our members, we will call our members to do the voting. So, all those options are open. If we ask you to do consensus, you refuse to do consensus and you want to do a one man show, we knowing that one man cannot do election, we will neutralize those abuse of privileges by allowing direct membership participation. This leadership cannot be compromised. We will not be intimidated and we will not misuse our privileges to deny any one of our members appropriate opportunities to contests and have the opportunity to serve the country.”