By Michael Adesanya/Abeokuta
Former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, has disclosed that the directive of the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on mode of primary remains final.
Osoba said this during a meeting with the party stakeholders and aspirants at his residence located at Ibara housing GRA, Abeokuta, the state.
It would be recalled that the party’s national leadership has approved direct primary for the state.
Also, the APC in the state led by his Chairman, Derin Adebiyi, during a stakeholders meeting in Abeokuta on Sept. 20 adopted indirect mode of primaries to elect his candidates for the 2019 elections.
The former governor explained that electoral process was the business and and functions of the NWC , saying that the stakeholders should put their mind at rest, adding that the constitution was clear, not only in APC , but in Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria constitution.
He noted that the power to submit names of the party candidates was vested in the National Chairman of the party, Adams Oshiomhole.
Osoba added that the essence of the meeting was to preach unity, saying that primaries was just a step , that the party must be united to win election.
He appealed to the aspirants to ensure peace reign in the party as well as ensuring electoral process to prevail over sentiment and selfish interest.
His words: “I am begging us today that we should be united and also learn from the gubernatorial election in Osun state. The division in the party in Osun State affected the party.
“We must also not make mistakes that can be challenged by our opponents in court. We are going into direct primary for the President. All members should go out on Friday and vote for Buhari.
“President Mohammadu Buhari is a non-interference person and a man of integrity,” he said.
The former governor urged all the gubernatorial aspirants from the party not to interfere in other elective positions except their own.
The governorship aspirants present at the meeting were Dapo Abiodun, Jimi Lawal, Abayomi Hunye and Adegbenga Kaka.