No Unanimous Decision On APC Indirect Primaries In Delta – Utomi

Prof. Pat Utomi, a founding member and a gubernatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Delta State, says the “Indirect Primaries” adopted by the Prophet Jones Erue-led State Executive Committee (SEC) of the party, does not reflect the position, nor the views of majority of the aspirants or other critical stakeholders of the party.

Utomi, who faulted the decision of a section of the party in the state to hold indirect primaries for all elective positions, said he had earlier disputed the misrepresentation that the resolution at the SEC meeting was unanimous.

BigPen Online recalls that the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the party resolved that direct primaries is the preferred mode to be adopted for elective offices.

However, any state could adopt other methods, such as indirect primaries or consensus, but it must be under certain conditions which includes providing justification for any preferred option, and that in each case, the State Executive Committee (SEC) shall in consultation with Candidates (Aspirants) and other critical stakeholders of the Party in a given State identify and forward for the consideration and approval by the National Working Committee (NWC) the mode of election to be adopted which shall then be applied to all categories of the party’s Primary Elections.

Utomi, who spoke through the PUSH spokesman, Engr. Leonard Obibi, said the requirements were not met by the meeting of Friday, 7th September, 2018 where a decision for indirect primaries was reached.

“This meeting was not inclusive as it only represented a particular section of the party. Most aspirants that have a direct stake in the outcome of this meeting and many key stakeholders were either absent or excluded from this crucial meeting; and even if present, they would have had to act as observers or witnesses. It was obvious that the conveners of the meeting had a predetermined outcome in mind which they wanted this meeting to rubber-stamp.

“Indeed, recordings of the deliberations show that the decision for indirect primary was well challenged, and Prof. Utomi made a case for “Direct Primaries” in full glare of all present.

“The said “Unanimous Decision” for “Indirect Primaries” does not reflect the position, nor the views of a majority of the aspirants or other critical stakeholders of our party.

“The announced decision for indirect primaries will further divide and weaken the party in the State. Besides, the justification given for this decision cannot stand because a direct election process will be employed first to determine the ward delegates, pursuant to the option of indirect primaries, and if that can’t be done then indirect primaries cannot even hold.

“It should be recalled that the congresses that were held in the State produced factional leaderships for the party. Engr. Obibi drew attention to the fact that Prof. Utomi has in the last few months worked hard to unite the party, being a basis for the party to win 2019 gubernatorial elections.

“Prof. Utomi urges the national leadership of the party under the chairmanship of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to intervene urgently by ensuring direct primaries in Delta State APC. In addition, he calls on the National Chairman to urgently send a delegation to harmonize the two factional party executives in the state.

“Prof. Utomi continues to believe that this is the best chance for our party to dislodge its main opponent, PDP, in Delta state. According to him, “it is for this reason that I have been working hard behind the scenes and leading an effort to unite the party across the divides, as well as seeking the understanding of the NWC towards a more peaceful APC in the state, with a set of acceptable and functional party executives.

“It is disappointing that whilst working hard and making effort in this direction, Prophet Jones Ode Erue seems to be working at eroding much needed confidence and further dissecting the party in pursuit of whatever interests. This is regrettable given all the support that myself and other critical stakeholders have given him to ensure that we can all succeed together.

“Worse still, this is in negation of the positive and progressive direction set before us all by President Muhammadu Buhari, our National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and our indefatigable National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole”.