Amidst division among members of All Progressives Congress over a suitable primary election system to adopt to produce candidates, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole, has assured of a free, fair and transparent process that would be acceptable to all.
He said the party would make sure it does not flout the electoral guidelines and timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission in January.
The party chairman gave the assurance after the caucus meeting held at the State House, Abuja.
“The meeting discussed the forthcoming party primaries based on the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2019 general elections as released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in January.
“In the timetable earlier issued by INEC, party primaries for the Presidential, Governorship, Federal and State Elections are expected to begin on Aug. 18 to end on Oct. 7, 2018.
“The Federal Capital Territory Area Council Elections would commence on Sept. 4 and end on Oct. 27.”
He said the party would comply with the INEC guidelines because the guidelines are derived from the provisions of the Electoral Act.
He said, “The meeting just had a conversation around the forthcoming primaries. As you know, based on INEC timetable on primaries, this is the season from the President down to House of Assembly and the exercise must end on Oct. 7 according to INEC guidelines.
“We are obliged to comply with the guidelines because the guidelines are derived from the provisions of the Electoral Act.
“So, we basically discussed how to ensure full compliance with the INEC guidelines and also ensure that we observe all the principles of internal democracy, participation, ensuring fairness and justice. I think those are issues basically”.
According to him, the resolutions at the APC caucus meeting would be tabled at the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party fixed for Thursday for deliberation and possible endorsement.
He said, “By Thursday, we will go to NEC where the formal decisions will be rectified and once they are rectified there will be no problem; they are not being kept because every member of the party and indeed Nigerian are entitled to know how we agreed about the exercise.
“But I think everybody has confidence that we will do a very credible primaries to ensure that those who fly the flag of the party have the mandate of their various constituencies”.
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