Primaries: Compromised and be sacked, Oshiomhole warns state APC chairmen

The APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, has warned the state party chairmen against actions that would expose them as working for the emergence of preferred candidates ahead of primary elections that start tomorrow with presidential primary.

Oshiomhole, who gave the warning when he handed over membership registers to all state chairmen, including that of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for onward distribution to wards, said erring party officials could be sacked for mismanagement of the process.

He said the party chairmen could be sacked or sanctioned individually and collectively for open endorsement of aspirants, mutilation of membership registers, and hoarding of membership cards to favour certain aspirants, among other breaches.

He said the business of the state executives should not be confused with their personal preference, particularly in states where there are more than one aspirants contesting for positions.

He said, “If you do that and it is not going to be secret, we will, without any hesitation, disband the entire executive. The NWC has the power without given reason to disband any executive which in its opinion is no longer fit and competent to represent the party in your respective states.

“There is only one party known to law, and that is the APC. So, please, resist any temptation. We have seen embarrassment where people go on Television canvassing positions of their governor or declaring one person as the sole candidate; you don’t have those powers. And if you do so, not only can you be dissolved, you can be prosecuted for breach of oath of office and oath of allegiance to the APC.”

Oshiomhole, who urged them to be neutral and fair to all aspirants, said the NWC would send men and women of integrity to conduct direct and indirect primaries to produce presidential, governorship, senatorial, House of Representatives, and State House of Assembly candidates for 36 States as well as the FCT.