By Omonu Samuel.
The march to 2023 general elections has begun with the various political parties in Nigeria and in Kogi State in the heat of the conduct of there primary elections.
The place of internal democracy’s has been adjudged as very important to the peaceful conduct of general elections.
Unlike in the past when parties conduct shabby and unacceptable
primaries which does not conform with the laid down guidelines. What is happening in the country, with Kogi State as a point of reference has proven that sanity has finally been made a part of the various political party primaries.
So far, the Independent National Electoral Commission must be commended in the manner it has done to monitor the various political party primaries. It is in the public domain that the electoral body has vowed to penalize any erring political party that goes contrary to the guidelines.
Recall that the various political parties in the State have in the last three weeks begun the conduct of there Primaries. What is however interesting in the whole affairs is the way and manner that all the parties have gone about with the election of their flagbearers.
Thus far, no case of violence and disagreement has occurred in all the parties primaries, as it has been adjudged as free, fair and credible, with the losers accepting the outcome of the results and congratulating the winners.
Recall that the PDP held one of the most difficult primaries in Kogi West Senatorial District. The election was a two legged election with Hon. T. J. Yusuf declared the winner after so much of anxiety and tension. Surprisingly, Sen. Dino Melaye was quick to accept the result and went ahead to congratulate the eventual winner.
This show of sportsmanship by the losers couldn’t have come with ease if the election were not free nor fair.
This development has therefore made political observers in the State to beam their searchlights on the ruling APC party in the State that is expected to begin her Primaries tomorrow Thursday, even though the State may not be conducting her Governorship election same time with others in the country.
For now all eyes are on the Kogi APC with people waiting to see how it conduct its affairs, particularly that many tongues have wagged over the weeks about alledged imposition, which many believe may cause a serious disenchantment for the party.
The challenge therefore is for the APC in Kogi to ensure a level playing field, with the delegates made to make informed decision and choices in the selection of their flagbearers to the extent that even those who will lose will congratulate the eventual winners.
The call on Gov. Yahaya Bello and leader of the APC is for him to allow a level playing field particularly that he is equally a presidential aspirant and allow for a transparent and fair party primaries.
The argument in several quarters is that if the smaller parties can organize themselves in such a manner as to conduct credible and acceptable primaries, it is not out of place that the ruling APC would fall short of such expectations.
If properly handled, a free and fair primaries by the Kogi APC would no doubt check the likely disenchantment by the Aspirants who fail, rather it would allow for the results to be accepted and ensure a united and formidable APC ahead the 2023 general election.
Omonu Samuel Esq.
Writes from Lokoja.