There is currently some sort of controversy rocking the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the Governorship elections coming up in Bayelsa State.
This was after the party held its stakeholders meeting on the method of primaries it will employ in selecting it’s candidate for the Governorship election.
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and Engr. Preye Agabana had argued that the meeting had ended in that manner because of the failure of Mr Jothan Amos, the Bayelsa State Chairman of the APC, to follow due process as he summoned the stakeholders’ to meet on the adoption of the mode of primaries for the party.
Engr. Agabana who is one of the aspirants, speaking through Nestor Binabo, the Director General of his Governorship Campaign, said:
“Though the meeting ended in a stalemate, even with a consensus pattern, we will carry the day. Bayelsa people want us and we know quite alright that they are yearning for change.”
“The Chairman of the party didn’t handle the matter well. The State Working Committee of the party should have drawn up an agenda and bring it to the stakeholders meeting for adoption and discussion. This process was not followed and according to the APC constitution the meeting was technically unconstitutional.”
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who was the Minister of State of Agriculture and Rural Development in President Buhari’s first term, speaking through Perez Peretu, his Director of Media and Publicity of his Governorship campaign team, said that, the party chairman would have to call for another stakeholders meeting saying,“Even if we disagree, we will eventually agree”.
“In a meeting, it is normal to have opposing views, but the majority will have their way. The minority will also be heard, we already adopted the direct primaries mode for the governorship election through voice votes and that is the position of the party, he said.”
On whether this could cause division in the state, he said:
“Of course that is expected but as a party we will overcome it, we’re advising party faithful to work together to forge a common understanding to deliver the various units in the election.”
Let us know what your thoughts are on this story in the comment section below.