Members of the Kogi state Stakeholders Forum have warned the state chapter the All Progressives Congress (APC) against adopting and using indirect primaries to pick its governorship candidate for the November 16 governorship election.
The group made its position known after its meeting in Lokoja in a statement noting that the party risks losing the election should the indirect primaries be used to select an unpopular candidate for the election.
“the victory of APC in 2015 and the events thereafter are still fresh in our memories but it will be the height of delusion for any sincere party faithful of our great party to assume the success achieved then can be replicated in the next election if a level playing field is not availed all aspirants for a free, fair and credible process that will be acceptable to all, irrespective of the outcome.
“To proclaim all is well with APC in the state is deceitful and playing the Ostrich which might have unpalatable consequences for the party in the coming election.
“Despite the number of aspirants who have indicated the desire to contest, the leadership of our party should ignore any position expressed by online poster aspirants on which mode of election to adopt for the primaries.
“We are firmly convinced that direct primaries will enable level playing field majority of aspirants have been clamoring for. Indirect primary will confer unmerited advantage on some aspirants which will reduce the process into an unfair, restricted and compromised contest.
“The consequences of indirect primary election for our great party will be dire, which makes our call for direct primary election imperative”, the statement said warning that members of the party would not hesitate to vote any unpopular candidate imposed on the party.
