THERE may be no going back on transparent and democratic primaries for the choice of governorship candidates by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo and Ondo states, it was learnt yesterday.
At a meeting with nine APC governors, National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu said democratic primary as a core element of internal democracy should not be jettisoned.
A source at the meeting held at the State House, Marina, Lagos, said Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos, emphasised the importance of primary to democracy, admonishing party leaders to safeguard it in the preparation for the choice of standard bearers.
The Progressives Governors’s Forum, led by Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu, unfolded plans last week to mount pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to support their push for right of first refusal to two of their colleagues, Ondo State Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, for the governorship.
The polls will hold in Edo in September and Ondo in October. No fewer than 10 chieftains are competing for the ticket in Ondo APC with Akeredolu, who is seeking a second term.
In Edo, other contenders have stepped down for Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who is challenging Obaseki at the shadow poll. The Edo governor is also seeking re-election.
Last week, National Working Committee (NWC) announced that direct primary will be adopted for the Edo APC shadow poll.
At yesterday’s two-hour parley, the following nine governors were in attendance.
Bagudu, Obaseki, Akeredolu, Simon Lalong (Plateau), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Mai Buni(Yobe), Adegboyega Oyetola(Osun), Abubakar Bello(Niger) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), who was the host.
According to the source, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma could not make it due to undisclosed reasons.
The governors, who appeared to be in one accord, wanted the party to be fair to their two colleagues, who they said, should not be muscled out.
Specifically, the governors wanted Tinubu to prevail on the party leadership to give Obaseki the right of first refusal, the source said.
However, Tinubu went to the meeting with the position that it is better, more democratic, constitutionally right and politically defensible that all aspirants should go for primaries to test their popularity, adding that, through that free and fair selection process, the ruling party will successfully build a strong democratic cultur
Tinubu, the source said, urged the governors to support the guidelines released by the NWC, maintaining that they are in the interest of the party.
Although some of the governors revisited the acrimony and controversy generated by the contrasting perspectives on the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole leadership, which they acknowledged as a battle within battles, Tinubu pointed out that it was normal in political life.
Besides, according to the source, the party stalwart counselled that since the conflict had been resolved, stakeholders should put the past behind them and forge ahead in harmony.
The source said Asiwaju Tinubu reiterated his belief in fairness to the incumbent governors and other interested governorship aspirants in the two states.
The source added: “Asiwaju also said he believed in the direct primary. His argument was that the direct primary will boost the confidence of the flag bearer as he prepares for the main governorship election.”
“Asiwaju Tinubu may have intervened in this sensitive nomination matter with a benefit of hindsight because as he rightly pointed out, direct primary produced Oyetola as Osun APC candidate and Babajide Sanwo-Olu as flag bearer in Lagos State.
“Besides, I think Asiwaju Tinubu is of the opinion that where there are more than one contender, primary should be adopted to foster equity, fairness and justice.”

Direct primaries is good move but it's only to romance and give more opportunity to god-fatherism.....


Because, a sitting governor must re-negociate with the state kings-maker....

Obaseki and the other Governors just went to Lagos to pay homage. Now Obaseki will realize that those he called names in public are ready to cut him to pieces. Let all candidates go for popularity test and the peoples choice be the winner.
I hope other elected politicians will learn from Ambode and Obaseki, don’t say what will those that helped you power will do when you still need their support.

seanfer:
Obaseki and the other Governors just went to Lagos to pay homage. Now Obaseki will realize that those he called names in public are ready to cut him to pieces. Let all candidates go for popularity test and the peoples choice be the winner.
I hope other elected politicians will learn from Ambode and Obaseki, don’t say what will those that helped you power will do when you still need their support.

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its called courtesy.

obaseki can lose the primaries and still go ahead to become governor

That is not totally unexpected. Are we going to see credible direct primaries fair to all though or have the results already been pre-determined?

One thing is clear though from the Obaseki must go camp, it’s all about their personal interest, nothing to do with the wider interest of the citizens of the state. What amazes me more is that you find our youths coming forth to argue, ehn Obaseki bit the hands that fed him, he didn’t carry party leaders along, he must be removed by all means, including even if it means turning the state into the hands of a known unstable politician desperate for power by all means & currently facing corruption charges in court.

Nigerian youths should wake up!! Stop being a pawn in the hands of these desperate politicians & godfathers. Start asking the right questions & interrogating the real issues, i.e, as u’ve asked here, why is Oshiomole so interested?? Has Obaseki performed in office?? what is the alternative being pushed by Oshiomole & his camp compared to Obaseki?? After the peanuts you are being offered to sell ur future is long finished & sacrificed the credible governance Obaseki is currently offering Edo state on d alter of mediocrity, what next??

I weep for the youths of our generation as we still have a long way to go if we continue like this.

slivertongue:
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its called courtesy.

[/b]obaseki can lose the primaries and still go ahead to become governor[/b]

Are you in this country? Obaseki himself knows that He won't come second if He contest under another party and that's the reason He is now going back to his vomit. this is not the General election period, All the arsenal of APC will be deploy to Edo because that's the only state holding election that day.