Former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, on Wednesday warned against adopting indirect primaries as a mode of electing the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the state if it lacks support of all the stakeholders, saying the party may play into the hands of the opposition party.
He cited the case of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, who didn’t participate in governorship election but eventually returned as governor by the court.
Osoba who spoke at a stakeholders meeting held at his Ibara GRA home in Abeokuta, said that the decision of the NWC remains the final.
The governorship aspirants present at the meeting were, Dapo Abiodun, Jimi Lawal, Abayomi Hunye and Adegbenga Kaka.
Osoba equally backed the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC which overruled the state chapter of the party on the adoption of indirect primaries as mode of electing the party’s candidates in Ogun state.
Our correspondent recalls that Ogun APC had hitherto adopted direct primaries where consensus arrangement fails, only to reverse the decision last Thursday and adopted indirect primaries.
“For instance in Oyo State, they are going for indirect primaries, but I can tell you all that the governorship aspirants were in attendance and they voted to adopt it.The same thing can happen here (in Ogun) if you all agree with it.
“Indirect primaries may spell doom. It’s delicate. We should be very careful. Don’t let us use a process that our opponents can use to challenge us. Let’s follow the NWC directive,” the journalist turned politician said.
Osoba also warned the ruling party not to go into next election with a divided house, saying disunity almost cost the party Osun governorship seat.
While declaring his support for President Muhammadu Buhari, the former governor urged party stalwarts to vote for him in the presidential primaries slated for Friday.
Speaking on the alleged security breach at his residence, Osoba said he had spoken with Governor Ibikunle Amosun on the matter, even as he warned that the issue must not be politicised.
