In view of the planned primary elections in the All Progressive Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, a chieftain of the party in Niger state, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, has warned against imposition of candidates and consensus to produce flag bearers.
He said in Minna yesterday that the move would affect the chances of the party in the general elections.
Vatsa advised that internal democracy should be upheld, because the party could not afford to go into the elections with a divided house, saying, “No individual should be favoured ahead of the official party primary.”
Vatsa who was the Niger State APC publicity secretary and commissioner for information, culture and tourism in the last administration told journalists in Minna that primary elections of the party in the state this month must free and fair.
According to him, any attempt to grant an automatic ticket to any aspirant would spell doom for the party and an open primary to determine the party’s candidate in all seats would be the most appropriate thing to do.
He said, “That is the only way we can go to the general elections as a united family, especially now that the oppositions are waiting for a slip by the ruling party, they are capable of causing upset if we do not do the proper thing and keep the party united.
“Imposition of candidates, especially the unpopular ones on the people will be a huge mistake by the party, it can fuel anti-party activities which will have huge implications in the general elections,” he added.
Vatsa said his call was hinged on what he heard authoritatively on consensus arrangements for the primaries in Niger State, saying, “It will be a disaster.”
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