By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
A group of concerned members of the All Progressives Congress,APC, in Esan West local government Area of Edo State,have sent a note of caution to the leaders of the Party in the Local Government Area not to impose any candidate on the Party and it’s members.
The group in a petition to the chairman of the party, David Imuse , signed by Ogberangbiri Owobu , Esan West Chapter leader,warned that money Inducement and imposition will not bring the right candidate for the party.
According to them, “The Primary Election that would bring up a candidate for the All Progressives Congress, APC to represent Esan West Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly will hold soon.”
They demanded for free, fair and credible contest among the aspirants because according to them, that would be the only panacea that would give the Party victory in the House of Assembly Election especially now that the Party is on opposition in Esan West in particular and Edo Central Senatorial District in general.
They warned that the recent botched endorsement by few leaders of an unpopular candidate should remain botched.
They advised that APC ticket for Esan West Constituency is not cash and carry or for the highest bidder as some few leaders have engaged in unwholesome conduct to enrich themselves through such venture.
They expressed disappointment that the Local Government Area of the Edo State Chairman of the APC, Col. David Imuse (Rtd) is where this demonic imposition of candidate is being hatched inspite of his (Imuse) warning to the leaders of the Party that they should not impose any candidate or collect money from them.
The chairman gave the warning during the meeting with all the Aspirants for the Edo State House of Assembly Election.
They went ahead to call on the State Chairman, Col. David Imuse to use his good offices to put his house (Local Government) in order by checking the excesses of these few leaders who want to plunge APC in the Local Government Area into disarray.
According to them, ” the argument that the imposition is necessary because of population does not hold water because that area is the stronghold of an opposition Party and APC is struggling to survive there”.
They made reference to 2019 House of Representatives election where the leaders turned blind eyes to the rigging and manipulations of election results against their Party, APC.
They sued that the demand of members and Aspirants of the Party that Primaries be conducted should be met and not the will of the few who have turned Politics in to merchandise.
They reiterated that if the Foundation is faulty or destroyed, the house cannot hold.