We want direct primary in Ondo APC, says Olanusi

Emmanuel Oladesu 

The leader of Unity Forum, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, has called for direct primary for the selection of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Ondo State.

He described direct primary as the best option that will forestall post-primary crisis.

No fewer than 10 aspirants are competing for the ticket.

They include Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Chief Olusola Oke (SAN), Mrs Jumoke Anifowose, Ife Oyedele, Bukola Adetula, Awodeyi Akinsehinwa, and Dr. Segun Abraham.

Olanusi said in a statement that the chapter is factionalised, adding that only the direct primary can guarantee a level playing ground.

However, some party members disagreed with Olanusi, saying that he does not command the support of the Unity Forum because he had been removed as its leader.

Olanusi pointed out that Ondo APC was polarised, stressing that those conveying the impression of unity are hired political miscreants with sinister motives.

He said: “The gospel truth is that Ondo APC is divided along factions. Although rumours making the rounds indicate that some mischievous elements are making frantic efforts to sway and compromise some members of the National Working Committee, I am of the strong belief that no member of the committee would bite such baits.

” As much as I know, they are men who would not want to trade their integrity for a morsel. It is also a public knowledge that not less than 80 per cent of our party members and most governorship aspirants in the state prefer the direct primary option to indirect.

“Anything short of this would amount to denying them the opportunity of choosing their preferred candidate as the flag bearer of our party at the general election.

“The general belief here in Ondo State is that whoever plans to take cover under the indirect primary option now is not fit to be the candidate of our party at the general election when there will be no hiding place for anyone.

“I call on the leadership of our great party and members of the National Working Committee to heed the voice of the majority of our members and give us the direct primary option as anything different would amount to going contrary to the earlier position and pronouncement made by the National Working Committee that primary elections in APC would be conducted using the direct primary option.”

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An aspirant, Chief Adetula, said the adoption of direct primary would reflect true democracy  and give party members a sense of belonging.

He said:” It is obvious that the only transparent mode that would be acceptable to all party members in the state is the direct primary option.”

Adetula lamented that Ondo APC had been seized by crisis since 2016 poll.

He said: “Consequently, other splinter groups developed within the party and a fight for the soul of the party has been ongoing.

“It would only be fair and rational for the party to conduct a primary that would afford all party members the opportunity to participate in the exercise, otherwise, the animosity would continue to increase and may badly affect the chances of the party at the general election.”

Adetula made reference to the pending court case by the Unity Group, which is challenging the eligibility of the current executive committee of the party.

He warned that if the case goes the way of the plaintiffs, then, the Zamfara experience would repeat itself in Ondo State.

Adetula added:” The withdrawal of Hon Otetubi from the case does not in any way affect the case in court as it still subsists. And on this premise, I call on the leadership of the party not to give the indirect option any thought, but to conduct a direct primary that is transparent and acceptable to all.”