Politics
JOHN Odigie-Oyegun immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday passed a vote of confidence on Edo and Ondo Governors, Godwin Obaseki and Rotimi Akeredolu.
The Governors, he said, should be given the party’s ticket for re-election.
According to him, they have “performed creditably should be returned unless they do not do wish”.
Odigie-Oyegun said his call for the support for the two Governors was informed by the agreement reached to settle the leadership crisis at the national level that threatened its existence.
He however cautioned the party’s leadership from imposing candidates, calling for free and fair primaries in both states.
According to him, should other members showed interest, the party should accept other aspirants.
“Our democracy of course has no room for imposition so the party must accept and also present any member that offer themselves to serve in the positions being occupied by the incumbent governors,” he stressed.
The former Edo Governor, in a signed statement, specifically warned that the nature of the governorship primary election in Edo State would determine the shape and survival of APC as a political party.
He maintained: “It is of critical importance that the primary be seen even by a blind man, to be free and fair otherwise there would be political consequences.”
According to the APC Chieftain, the party’s governorship primary “will show Nigerians and indeed the world whether APC is a party of truth, change and progress, driven by the principles of fairness, social justice and equity, or it has become a party that believes and promotes business as usual!”
Odigie-Oyegun then prayed that a consensus be built behind Governor Obaseki but added in the absence of this, “everything must be done to ensure that the persons in the leadership of the party at the center who are part of the contrived crisis in Edo State must not even remotely be allowed to plan, participate or supervise the primary election.
“Allowing any member(s) of the national leadership who have been involved in the contrived crisis in Edo State would equate making such person or persons judges in their own case. This is contrary to the principle of natural justice and will be naturally resisted,” Odigie-Oyegun warned.
The former national chairman of the party also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to prepare for free,fair and crisis-free elections in the two states. – The Nation
– May 21, 2020 @ 17:15 GMT |
Tags: Akeredolu Odigie-Oyegun urges APC to return Obaseki
