The All Progressives Congress (APC) rose from its sixth National
Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Thursday in Abuja with the decision
to elect its presidential candidate through direct primaries.
The indirect option is to be used for primaries for other positions.
States that however wish to use the direct primary option for the conduct
of their primaries can to apply to the national leadership of the party
with a resolution signed by party stakeholders agreeing to the process.
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong who addressed journalists after the
meeting in Company of his Kogi state counterpart, Yahaya Bello announced
the decision of the party.
Lalong also said the meeting failed to agree on the sequence of election
for its primaries and referred the issue of to the National Working
Committee to decide on the matter putting into considerations the various
opinion canvassed at the meeting.
“About two or three things were discussed. First, the document on the
guidelines for the election, the mode of elections and of course, the mode
of funding and the necessity for unity within the party after the gale of
defections.”
On the issue of defection, the party unanimously agreed that it has not
affected us much, but has tightened the party more.
“On the mode of election, we all agreed that for Presidential election, we
are going for direct primary, but for other elections, there are two
options. But the general option is that we go for indirect primary.
“But any state that has a problem and wants to deviate from that is at
liberty to write following the normal process with a resolution from their
state executive seeking approval for a deviation from the agreed process.
“In the sequence of election, it was directed back to the NWC to look at
the comments that were made and within those comment, address them in line
the electoral act and bring out a time table for the sequence of election.
The National Executive Committee has been given that power.
“On the issue of funding, a standing Committee was set to look at the
proper funding for party generally.
“The constitution of the party provide for either direct or indirect
primaries or com census. But for the presidential election, we all agreed
to adopt the direct option.
“Also, a recommendation was made by the National Working Committee which
was accepted that all the states should adopt the indirect mode of
election. But there may be circumstances where it may be difficult in some
of the states, looking at their peculiarities.
“If there are such difficulties, the state will now apply following due
process after their stakeholders agreement, signed and adopted by simple
majority of the party and the state executive which will now be sent to
the NWC for approval.”
On automatic ticket for governors and legislators, he said “We didn’t
discuss the issue of automatic ticket. But we discuss that patriotic and
loyal members should be rewarded. But not necessarily with automatic
ticket.
“Some of our senators who are patriotic who were supposed to be taken away
were all kept. We asked all the states to look at it and we find a way to
reward them. But for the election, the option is given to everybody to
face election. So, there was nothing like automatic for anybody.
“We debated the cost of nomination and left it to the National Working
Committee to take into consideration some of the views expressed and come
out with a reasonable figure and any figure they bring out will be
acceptable and we don’t need to come back to NEC to ratify it.”
Contributing, Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello said “People refer to the
issue of automatic ticket to governors and legislators. In our party, we
have reward system. You will surely not throw away a loyal party man and
will not punish a loyal party man.”
“We will always support and reward those legislators who were supposed to
have been taken away in a deceitful manner but stood by Mr. President and
this country. Those that are patriotic to this party and this country will
surely be rewarded in one way or the other. That is not automatic ticket
because there is internal democracy and we are doing everything to promote
our constitution and internal democracy.”
Meanwhile, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara and
his deputy, Yusuf Lasun were conspicuously absent at the meeting, but
National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole explained that the party received
correspondences from the two principal officers of the House of
Representatives that they won’t be able to attend the meeting.
Oshiomhole said “we have apologies from the Speaker in a letter dated 27th
of August, 2018 that he had a previous engagement and would not be able to
attend the NEC meeting as he is currently out of the country. We also have
correspondence from the Deputy Speaker that he has an appointment with his
doctors and won’t be able to attend the meeting”.
Governors present include Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi), Senator Abiola
Ajimobi (Oyo), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abdullahi Umar
Ganduje (Kano), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Tanko
AlMakura (Nasarawa), Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe), Atiku Badugu (Kebbi), Sani
Bello (Niger), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Jibrilla Bindo (Adamawa), Rochas
Okorocha (Imo) and Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina)
Governors Godwin Obaseki (Edo) Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos) Ibikunle Amosun
(Ogun) and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) were represented by their deputies.
Former governor Godswil Akpabio who recently joined the party joined his
colleagues from the Senate at the NEC meeting alongside former Nasarawa
State Governor, Abdullahi Adamu, Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, Senator
Godwin Abe, Senator Andy Ubah, Senator Binta Masi Garba, Senator Ovie
Omo-Agege, Senator Ben Uwajumogu among others.
The Secretary to the government of the federation and the Special Adviser
on Political matters to the President, Senator Babafemi Ojodu were also
present.