A group known as the APC Support Group, Kogi State, has protested the involvement of the party’s national officials in the State’s upcoming gubernatorial primary elections.
The group, made this known in an open letter published in The Nation newspaper, July 4 2015 to President Muhammadu Buhari, titled: “A Need for the Conduct of Free, Fair, Transparent and Credible Gubernatorial Primary Election in Kogi State.”
The caucus lamented the situation whereby State party members lobby national party officials “instead of linking with party members in the State to acquaint them with their preparedness to govern the State.”
According to the letter, aspirants jostle between Lokoja and Abuja to solicit for the party’s gubernatorial mandate with the notion that “the party’s ticket will be available to them through compromised means from Abuja” instead of campaigning with State party members.
- “It is unfortunate to note that, for the primary election, which is less than three months away from now, Aspirants are jostling between Lokoja and Abuja to solicit for the party’s gubernatorial ticket,” the letter reads.
It added that “Indeed, many individuals within the party are yet to come to terms with the party’s CHANGE mantra, which is fashioned in line with the integrity of Mr. President, who is known to harbor any trace of injustice, imp unity and the pursuit of self-interest in the conduct of public affairs.”
The APC gubernatorial race is expected to be between major contenders; former State governor, Prince Audu Abubakar, Yahaya Bello, Dino Melaye, Suleiman Baba-Ali, Yakubu Muhammed, founding editor of NewsWatch Magazine, Prince Rotimi Obadofin and Chief James Ocholi, SAN.
The letter which was also addressed to the party’s national Chairman, Chief John Oyegun was signed by Dr. Yakubu Ugwolawo, Mr. Edward Onoja, Elder S.K Laniyan, Engr. M.J Aliyu, Hon. Yahaya Metanga, Hajiya Sefinat Jimoh.
However, the APC at the national level has come under heavy criticism for interfering with the National Assembly, which has resulted to the crisis in the two chambers of the National assembly and the entire party.
The APC reportedly imposed candidates for the leadership of the 8th National Assembly, instead of allowing the lawmakers decide on who leads them, paving way for division between the APC lawmakers.
The choice of Senator Bukola Saraki and Honourable Yakubu Dogara as the Senate President and Speaker of the House has sparked fire in the APC especially with the party’s benefactor Ahmed Tinubu who claimed not to regard Saraki as the Senate Chairman.
The crisis was allegedly resolved as disclosed by Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha who said the issues in the party and the legislature “had been resolved peacefully.”
