2019: APC Will Adopt Direct Primary In Ondo—Boroffice

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, a senator representing Ondo North senatorial district and Chieftain of All Progressive Congress (APC), Prof. Ajayi Boroffice has said that the party has adopted direct primary as the only means of electing party candidates in Ondo State and other APC- governed states.

In a press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Senator Boroffice, Kayode Fakuyi, which was made available to CityMirrorNews at the weekend said the adoption of direct primary is a settled matter because the National leadership of APC, President Muhammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other prominent leaders of the party have declared firm support for it.

As the preparations for primary election hot up, he said it is necessary to reassure members of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State that the National leadership of the party led by Comrade Adams Oshiomole had adopted direct primary as the only means of electing party candidates in Ondo State.

The statement reads, “the position of APC on direct primary is clear. It states that direct primary will hold in APC – governed states while indirect primary/delegate primary will hold in states where the state governments are not governed by APC.

“It should also be noted that President Muhammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and other prominent leaders of our party have thrown their weights behind the party on the adoption of direct primary. Therefore, the adoption of direct primary is a settled matter. It is unambiguous. It is uncontroversial. It is clear.

“It is utterly defective and misleading. The comment doesn’t reflect the position of our party on the adoption of direct primary. Thus, the comment should be treated as a personal opinion bereft of constitutional backing.

“Instructively, it should be note that the National leadership of APC with the exclusive responsibility to conduct primary elections across all states in Nigeria has adopted the direct primary. It is neither the business of the zonal structure nor duty of state structures of our party. All party members are aware the constitution of the APC did not empower state chapters to choose or decide method of selecting party flagbearers.

“Furthermore, the resolution of the National leadership is not subject to discretional amendment or modification by the zonal or state structures of the APC.

“Conclusively, it is the opinion of Senator Ajayi Boroffice that the adoption of direct primary by the APC will deepen democracy and ensure popular participation. The National leadership has empowered all party members in Ondo State with voting powers for the purpose of nominating flagbearers of the APC in the 2019 general elections. No individual or group can snatch or hijack such voting powers from members of APC in Ondo State”.