The National Leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, told nine APC Governors at a meeting yesterday that primaries are crucial to democracy.
A source at the meeting in the State House, Marina, Lagos, said the former Lagos State Governor emphasized the importance of primaries to democracy. He admonished the party leaders to safeguard in the preparation for the choice of standard-bearers.
Last week, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu disclosed plan to mount pressure on President Muhammadu Buhari to support their push for the right of first refusal to two of their colleagues in the coming governorship election.
These are Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State and Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, both of who are seeking the second term in the coming elections in the state.
The election is scheduled in Edo in September and Ondo in October. In Ondo, ten chieftains are competing for the ticket in Ondo APC with the incumbent governor, Akeredolu.
In Edo, other contenders have stepped down for Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who is challenging Obaseki at the poll. Obaseki who is the incumbent Governor of the state is seeking re-election.
The meeting which lasted for two hours was a response to the announcements of the National Working Committee (NWC) that direct primary will be adopted in the Edo shadow poll.
The nine governors that were present at the meeting were Bagudu (Kebbi), Obaseki (Edo), Akeredolu (Ondo), Simon Lalong (Plateau), Abdullah Ganduje (Kano), Mai Buni (Yobe), Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun), Abubakar Bello (Niger) and Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) who is the host governor.
The governors who appeared at the meeting wanted the party to be fair to two of their colleagues; they said they shouldn’t be muscled out.
According to the source, the governors wanted in particular, Tinubu to use his power and influence to convince the party leadership to give Obaseki the right of first refusal.
However, Tinubu holds the position that it is better, more democratic, constitutionally right, and politically defendable that all aspirants should go for primaries to test their popularity.
He added that, with a free and fair election process, the ruling party will successfully build a strong democratic culture.
Tinubu further urged the Governors to support the guidelines released by the NWC, stressing that they are in the interest of the party.
Some of the governors tried to revisit the rancor and disagreement over the contrasting perspectives on the leadership of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, which they refer to as a “battle with battles”.
However, Tinubu says that it is normal in politics. He added that since the conflict has been resolved, stakeholders should put the past behind and move forward in harmony.
He further reiterated his belief in fairness to the incumbent governors and other interested candidates in the coming poll in the two states.
According to the source, “Asiwaju also said he believed in the direct primary. He argued that the direct primary will boost the confidence of the flag bearer as he prepares for the main governorship election.”
“Asiwaju Tinubu may have intervened in this sensitive nomination matter with a benefit of hindsight because as he rightly pointed out, direct primary produced Oyetola as Osun APC candidate and Babajide Sanwo-Olu as flag bearer in Lagos State.
“Besides, I think Asiwaju Tinubu is of the opinion that where there is more than one contender, the primary should be adopted to foster equity, fairness, and justice.”
