Politics

Groups raise alarm over plots to subvert APC Primaries in Zamfara

Published

2 years ago

May 17, 2022

Ahead of party primaries preparatory for 2023 general elections, a group, APC Youth Solidarity Network (APCYSN) and the Guardian of Democracy and Development Initiative (GoDDI) have petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over plots by some forces in Zamfara state to subvert the primary election of the ruling party in the state.

The groups in a joint petition submitted to the office of the Chairman, INEC and copied the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, National Security Adviser, Inspector General of Police, Director-General, Department of State Security service as well as US, UK Embassies and the UN Resident Coordinator, Nigeria said except action is taken immediately many aspirants in Zamfara would be disenfranchised.

The petitioned signed by Mr. Danesi Momoh for APC Youth Solidarity Network and Mallam. Suleiman Musa of the Guardian of Democracy and Development Initiative respectively maintained that the groups have established beyond doubts that delegates to the party primaries have already been handpicked by those hell-bent on imposing candidates against the wishes of the people.

“We have uncovered grand plot by antidemocratic forces in Zamfara State to disenfranchise aspirants from participating in the All Progressives Congress (APC) scheduled party primaries in Zamfara State in clear contravention of the provision of Section 84 of the Nigerian Electoral Act 2022 on Nomination of Candidates by Parties.

“There are incontrovertible evidence that the provision of the Nigerian Electoral Act 2022, All Progressives Congress (APC) Constitution (March 2022 as amended) and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are being abuse in order to muscle out other aspirants to pave way for anointed candidates as if we are practicing monarchial system of government as opposed to democracy.

“We have established beyond reasonable doubts that delegates to party primaries have already been handpicked (selected) by those who are hell-bent on imposing candidates against the collective will of the Zamfara State Citizens in clear violations of extant laws and statues governing conducts of party primaries as enshrined in All Progressives Congress (APC) Constitution, Nigerian Electoral Act 2022 and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As it stands today, Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State and his co-travelers has already allocated all elective seats that are to be contested at the primaries to their known political associates, friends and families ahead of the date of the primaries in brazen display of anti democratic ethos.

“Consequently, it goes without saying that Zamfara State All Progressives Congress (APC) has not learnt any lesson on the 2019 flawed All Progressives Congress (APC) Primaries that led to the disqualifications of all APC Candidates and their victory was truncated by the judgment of the Supreme Court that voided the primary election and the purported election was nullified. It is obvious that All Progressives Congress (APC) Zamfara State is on familiar journey to self INFLICTED destruction.

“We demand that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as an unbiased umpire to closely monitor conducts and proceedings of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State and other states with similar tendencies to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the laws with regards to party primaries and nomination of candidates so as to deepened democratic governance.

“Your intervention is most needed to ensure that All Progressives Congress (APC) and your commission do not run foul of the law by allowing anti democratic element to desecrate our democracy. We will not hesitate to explore all avenues to seek redress including but not limited to instituting legal action against the commission and the All Progressives Congress (APC) should you failed to act on this matter”, the petitioned noted.

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Ondo Guber: Coalition Rates Chances Of APC Aspirants

Published

4 weeks ago

March 23, 2024

The Gleamer

By Uche Onyeali

Coalition of supporters of the All Progressives Congress, under of APC Support Groups, has rated the chances of the aspirants for the party ticket in the November 21, 2024, Ondo State governorship election.

In an opinion poll conducted by the APC support group, Wale Akinterinwa scored 89 percent to emerge favourite to clinch the ticket of the ruling party.

The survey result signed by the national coordinator of the coalition, Dr. Muhammed Joda, and the national secretary, Comrade Kingsley Ebhoma, Olusola Oke is tipped to come second in the race with 65 percent while Senator Jimoh Ibrahim comes third with 35 percent.

According to the survey, the incumbent governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa has 25 percent chances to remain in office while Paul Akinyelure trails far behind with five percent, as the result indicated that he and some others lack significant support, “with participants deeming them unfit to lead the state at present.”

Speaking on the outcome of the poll, the coalition noted that “as support groups of the party, we are duty-bound to also ensure peace, unity and progress in the party at all levels, while promoting the activities/good governance. Hence our embarking on an independent opinion poll exercise, survey and assessment of the potential aspirant for the party’s ticket ahead of the party’s primary election as to avoid a repeat of the incidence that played out in Edo State where the party was almost being ridiculed for not conducting a transparent, free, fair and open all-inclusive primary elections.

It is evident that Olusola Oke, Jimoh Ibrahim, Wale Akinteriwa, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Paul Akintelure, stands tall among other aspirants for the party’s ticket.

“However, this report presents findings from a survey conducted to assess potential candidates for the APC Party Primaries in April, with a focus on their ability to sustain continuity in governance – protect the legacies of AKETI.

The survey aimed to gauge public perception and support for various aspirants based on their track records, political knowledge and alignment with AKETI’s mission and vision for the state.

“Utilising a total of 3,600 individuals, with 200 sample, from the Local Government Areas through random sampling of the voters’ register, this survey provides a comprehensive understanding of voters’ sentiments across diverse geographic regions within the state.”

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