PETER DADA
As the All Progressives Congress is preparing to hold national and state primaries nationwide, there is an indication that the Ondo State chapter of the party would conduct parallel congresses for the two primaries.
It was gathered that the issue bordering on the method of primary to adopt by the party had not been resolved in the state.
While the state governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, and the state executive of the party led by Mr. Ade Adetimehin are supporting indirect primary, some National Assembly members representing the state, particularly, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, and a House of Representatives member, Bamidele Baderinwa, and their supporters want direct primaries.
Aspirants of the party who belong to the two camps, have already obtained forms and undergone screening at the national secretariat of the party while the House of Assembly aspirants were being screened at different venues of the two factions.
A reliable source in the party told our correspondent that the two factions were preparing for the primaries, which according to the source, might hold in two different locations in the state.
The source said, “With the way things are going in our party now, the two factions are ready to hold their primaries and each will elect its party’s candidates for the state and National Assembly elections in 2019.
“It is now left for the national leadership to decide the authentic candidates.”
However, Adetimehin said the party would hold indirect primaries for the forthcoming national and state assembly’s elections.
He added that all arrangements had been made to conduct free and fair primaries.
“We have no faction in this state. We are one and we shall hold free, fair and credible primaries, so there is no cause for alarm. Nobody is fighting anybody; we have no faction,” he said.
But a group under the aegis of the APC Unity Group, which also aligned with direct primary, has vowed to do everything possible to resist any attempt to conduct an indirect primary.
The chairman of the APC group, Mr. Idowu Otetubi said, “We have seen the dynamics in Osun and how far it has played out.”
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