The leadership of the All Progressives Congress in Abia State has dismissed speculations surrounding an alleged list of shortlisted candidates for the party’s forthcoming primaries ahead of the next general elections.
Click Here to Join Our Whatsapp channel
In a statement issued by the Leader of Abia APC and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the party described the purported list as contrary to the principles of participatory democracy and the provisions of the Electoral Act as well as the APC Constitution.
Kalu stressed that only two democratic approaches are recognized for the conduct of APC primaries across Nigeria — Direct Primaries and Consensus arrangements agreed upon in writing by aspirants.
According to him, aspirants are expected to mobilize grassroots support to emerge victorious through direct primaries or engage in consultations and deliberations aimed at producing consensus candidates acceptable to all parties involved.
The APC leader therefore urged party members in Abia State to disregard any claims or suspicions regarding the existence of any predetermined list for House of Assembly, National Assembly, or Governorship primaries.
“If such a list exists anywhere, it is by this announcement rendered null and void,” the statement declared.
Kalu further noted that the spirit of inclusiveness and people-oriented leadership that characterized the party’s congresses would equally guide the conduct of the upcoming primaries.
He called on members of the APC family in Abia to remain united and focused on strengthening the party ahead of future electoral contests, assuring them of the support of the party leadership at all levels.
“We have work to do. Let us keep tilling the ground as we have been doing and prepare our party for massive electoral victories across contests next year,” he stated.
The statement reaffirmed the commitment of the Abia APC leadership to sustaining a strong and formidable party structure despite what it described as the antics of disruptors.
