APC okays direct primaries for Ambode, Abubakar, Ganduje, others

Ogun APC insists on indirect mode of selection

The Adams Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has endorsed the direct primaries mode to determine whether Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State would fly the flag of the party for his second term bid in office. Ambode is billed to test his popularity with Mr. Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu, who enjoyed the backing of Mandate Movement, a group loyal to the party’s National Leader, Bola Tinubu, at the primaries billed to hold on Saturday, September 29, 2018.

Also, Governors Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano) and Abubakar Mohammed (Bauchi) were among those that got the party’s nod to seek the support of card-carrying members of the party in their respective states through the direct primaries mode.The use of the direct primaries mode also extends to Zamfara where the former governor of the state, Muhmuda Aliyu Shinkafi, incumbent Deputy Governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakala, Senator Kabir Garba Marafa, Dr. Dauda Lawan Dare, Alhaji Aminu Sani Jaji, Ambassador Abubakar Shehu Bunu and Lawal Hassan Anka are billed to slug it out with Alhaji Mukhtar Shehu Idris favoured by out-going Governor Abdulaziz Yari.

With the exception of Oyo State, which is to use the indirect primaries mode in the South-West geo-political zone, the party also okayed the use of direct primaries for Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti states.While Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Niger, Imo and Taraba are to apply the direct primaries, Abia, Anambra are to use the indirect primaries mode to determine the flagbearer of the party in the 2019 poll.

However, as the party ruled that Enugu and Ebonyi states are to use the indirect primaries mode, it settled for indirect primaries in Benue, Borno, Delta, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Plateau, Rivers and Sokoto and Yobe states.

Meanwhile, there appears to be a sharp disagreement between the party’s NWC and the Ogun State chapter. The party’s Acting National Publicity Security, Yekini Nabena, who spoke in a radio programme in Abeokuta yesterday, insisted that the selection of candidates would be through direct primaries.He said: “The state chapters of the party can make their request known but the NWC stands by its position and decision on direct primaries to choose candidates across board.

“The Ogun APC cannot set examination questions for itself and mark same. The position of the NWC is clear on the mode of primaries to be used in choosing candidates. Where consensus fails, direct is the only way forward.”But the state chapter of the party in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Wole Elegbede, said: “Ogun State Chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) is not going back on the preparation for indirect primaries for all elective offices in the state where consensus fails.”