Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association and a governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress in Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has reiterated the importance of party primaries to the success of any political party at the poll.
Akeredolu said primaries are essential aspects of party politics.
Akeredolu who, in a press statement explained that when primaries are held, aspirants are more likely to accept the collective decision of the party as prescribed the outcome, thereby reducing the tendency for rancorous behaviours and attitudes by party members.
According to the 2012 governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria in Ondo State: “When we have primaries, all the aspirants will fall in line.
“By the time we obtain forms, I’m sure that the number of aspirants will reduce. Even with five or more aspirants, we can agree among ourselves that whosoever wins, the others will support. I have always argued that primaries are essential part of party politics. It is necessary.”
Akeredolu argued that he was chosen as the ACN flag bearer in 2012 Ondo State gubernatorial election based on the existing party policy at the time, saying the party had since changed the policy in favour of party primaries.
Akeredolu said: “The party adopted a method of choosing a candidate. That method was what the party adopted in a good number of states. It was a pattern for the ACN then.
“Well, a number of people reacted to it. People have also raised objections to it. I believe their objections and reactions have been taken into consideration in the decision of the party to conduct primaries.”
Speaking on his chances of clinching the highly coveted APC gubernatorial ticked in Ondo State, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria said his popularity in the party and amongst the people of the state is second to none, adding that in the interest of equity and fair play and in the interest of the party, his party men and women will be more than willing to give him the ticket.
Akeredolu also emphasised the necessity of a free and free primary, devoid of imposition and intimidation.
He said: “The national leadership of the party has assured us of a level playing ground. We believe they will do just that. APC has demonstrated that it can conduct transparent primaries. The records are there. We had the most transparent presidential primary. We had free and fair governorship primaries in Kogi and Bayelsa States. Ondo State will follow these democratic examples.”
The governorship aspirant called on other contestants to focus on issue-based campaigns rather indulging in cheap resort to name dropping and endorsement merchandising.
He explained: “I advise those who claim that they have been endorsed by the leadership of the party to wake up from their slumber. Only a free and fair primary can guarantee the success of our party in the November governorship election… Anyone who thinks otherwise is day dreaming.”
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