Kwarans Express Concern Over Alleged Imposition, Irregularities in APC Primaries by Felix Ajide

 

By Felix Ajide

Some residents and stakeholders in Kwara State have expressed concern over what they described as alleged undemocratic practices and irregularities characterising the ongoing primaries of the All Progressives Congress in the state.

Party supporters and stakeholders who spoke with journalists in different parts of the state on Wednesday voiced displeasure over the alleged imposition of a governorship aspirant by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Several APC members and supporters within and outside the state, including those in the diaspora, also raised concerns over what they described as the adoption of a consensus candidate without adequate consideration for power rotation among the senatorial districts and adherence to democratic principles.

Speaking on the development, Secretary of Kwara Citizens in Lagos, Mr. Ganiyu Babatunde, said the APC, as a party founded on progressive ideals, must ensure that leadership emerges through fairness, equity, justice and transparent processes that reflect the will of members.

He condemned what he described as the unilateral imposition of a candidate, noting that such actions could weaken trust in the party structure, disenfranchise loyal members and undermine democratic values.

According to him, Kwara State’s three senatorial districts are blessed with competent individuals capable of leading the state effectively.

“The unilateral adoption of a consensus candidate from Kwara Central sends a negative signal about the growth of democracy in the state. It disregards the voices of other regions and weakens the spirit of unity and harmony,” he said.

Some party stalwarts, who spoke anonymously, said they could no longer remain silent over what they described as the erosion of internal democracy, fairness and transparency within the Kwara APC.

They urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC to investigate the alleged irregularities surrounding the conduct of the party primaries in the state.

“What has transpired so far in the House of Representatives and Senatorial primaries raises serious concerns about the credibility, transparency and legitimacy of the entire process.

“Rather than reflecting the democratic wishes of party members and leaders, the exercises were widely characterised by alleged imposition, manipulation of results and the sidelining of genuine aspirants and stakeholders.

“In many instances, votes were neither transparently counted nor fairly collated. Outcomes appeared predetermined, while party faithful who expected a free and fair process were left disappointed and disillusioned,” they alleged.

Other party members noted that the process had created widespread anxiety and a growing perception that democratic participation within the party had been replaced by unilateral decisions and excessive executive interference.

A party member from Kwara North, Mr. Kolo Musa, however, called for restraint among aggrieved aspirants and their supporters, urging them to explore internal mechanisms for redress in the face of perceived injustice.

He expressed confidence that the appropriate organs of the party would intervene to restore confidence in the process, warning that failure to address the concerns could create an opening for the opposition in the state to stage a comeback.

Similarly, another APC stalwart from Kwara Central appealed to President Tinubu, describing him as a committed democrat and undisputed leader of the party, to listen to aggrieved members who had invested resources and time preparing for the primaries only to allegedly face pressure to support an imposed candidate.

The stakeholders appealed to the President and national leadership of the APC to uphold justice, fairness and democratic values, stressing that the party was founded on the principles of progressivism, inclusion and internal democracy.

Also speaking, Mr. Alani Olatunde from Oke-Ero Local Government Area of the state, said Kwara State should not become a theatre for the subversion of the noble ideals for which the APC is known.

He urged the National Working Committee and President Tinubu to intervene and halt the ongoing primary process in the state in the interest of justice, fairness, peace and party unity.

According to him, proceeding with the exercise amid allegations of distrust and predetermined outcomes could further damage the integrity of the party and weaken the confidence of members and supporters across the state.

He called for assurances of a transparent, credible, inclusive and democratic process that would provide all aspirants with a level playing field.

Some stakeholders also advocated the reorganisation and strengthening of the party structure in Kwara State to restore confidence among members and supporters, while urging the leadership of the APC to take firm steps to protect internal democracy in line with the constitution and progressive ideals of the party.

Meanwhile, a political group within the APC, the Kwara United Movement, said injustice, impunity and the suppression of democratic participation could weaken the party and threaten the unity built over the years.

The Secretary of the movement, Engr. Oni Babalola, called on party faithful, stakeholders and well-meaning Nigerians to continue supporting transparency, equity and due process in the interest of peace, unity and the future of the APC.

He added that allowing the governorship seat to rotate among the senatorial districts would promote inclusiveness, a sense of belonging, justice and equity in the state.

Also in his view, Baba Kpasanagi, said “given what I have seen as vision for Kwara from the likes of Senator Oloriegbe, Dr Toyin Alabi, Senator Mustapha it would be a big let down if none of such aspirants emerge for APC.”

“Where are Kwara North aspirants? I haven’t seen anything concrete from any of them. In my opinion, whilst it may have been equitable in a gentleman’s agreement for them to take a turn, they have not shown enough seriousness to warrant it. They need to go back to the drawing board to assess their position and work on presenting a credible aspirants for the next election. They have “fallen my hand.

“I want to remain positive and hopeful that provided a free and fair guber primaries is held, that the right person will emerge from the APC to battle with candidates from other parties.

“Otherwise, a protest vote will make the day. And in doing so we can give another party the chance to prove themselves such as the SDP! They have a good party leader in Prince Adebayo and Prof Suleiman a force to reckon with,” he added.