Tensions are mounting within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Irewole/Ayedaade/Isokan Federal Constituency as party faithful issue a stern warning against alleged plots to bypass the democratic process. Despite the party’s earlier resolution to adopt a direct primary for selecting its House of Representatives candidate, reports have emerged suggesting that certain stakeholders and leaders are scheming to impose a preferred aspirant. Critics argue that such a move would undermine the freeness and fairness of the upcoming internal polls, threatening the very foundation of the party's local structure.
In a strongly worded statement, concerned members emphasized that any attempt to hijack the process would have dire consequences for the party’s internal stability. They asserted that any attempt to impose a candidate and disrupt the transparency of this election will plunge the party into chaos, unsettling the peace and harmony that has been sustained for a long period. The statement urged all party leaders and stakeholders to step back and allow the will of the members to prevail, warning that any unnecessary obtrusion at this critical juncture could trigger a party implosion beyond control.
The call for a transparent process is being framed as a defense of the APC’s core ideologies of peace, unity, and fairness. Advocates for the direct primary argue that in order to uphold these values, the party must resist any act of imposition, especially when a consensus has not been reached among the contesting aspirants. By allowing all eligible party members to elect their preferred candidate, the party ensures that its democratic integrity remains intact.
Furthermore, it was noted that since all aspirants claim to have completed their primary assignments and have demonstrated their credibility within the constituency, it is paramount for leaders to let them test their popularity on the field. This process is seen as the only viable way to determine which aspirant the members truly prefer to see on the All Progressives Congress ballot for the general election. Allowing a field contest rather than a closed-door arrangement is viewed as essential for maintaining the party's competitive edge.
Ultimately, the party leadership has been urged to desist from any forceful attempts to influence the outcome or offer inducements. The message from the grassroots remains unambiguous: if the party truly desires peace and harmony during and after the primary election, it must cease all "round-table" selections and allow for a transparent ballot. A free and fair election remains the singular demand of the members to ensure the party remains united heading into the general polls.
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