Editorial

Ekiti APC Guber Primary: A show of shame

Following the debacle that took place in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State over the weekend, the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC has rescheduled disputed primary elections.  In a statement issued during the week, the spokesperson of the party, Bolaji Abdulahi announced that the primaries will now hold on Friday. This rescheduling became necessary as a result of violent disruption of the party primary election at the stadium in Ado Ekiti.
With the election proceeding as planned, suddenly mayhem broke out. Tens, if not hundreds of angry party men including seeming thugs descended on the hapless election materials and scattered everything. In its wake were broken ballot boxes, torn ballot papers and some broken tables. All these were in the full glare of party leaders, security agents and the committee set up to organise the primary. In fact, journalists and live television were at the venue to document the show of shame.
Following this disruption, the venue became tense and delegates, contestants, committee members, party leaders and members scampered for safety. That was how the party failed to conduct a simple internal election. Thus bringing shame to themselves and the country. As a ruling party, much is expected and some of the underlining issues that may have led to the riotous event should have been sorted before the August occasion. Unfortunately it happened. The failure of a ruling party in conducting its internal affairs can be extrapolated as how they will fare in handling national elections. Luckily it is the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC that will organize the 2019 polls.
Trouble began when supporters of some of the aspirants decided to take their destinies in their hands, in  an unwholesome manner. They alleged among other things that the organising committee was skewed against them. They accused the chairman of the committee and governor of Nasarawa State of being a landlord of one of the leading aspirants. Also, they alleged that some delegates had some pre thumb printed ballots. They equally alleged other negative issues which led to the disruption since according to them all efforts to get their party’s attention prior to the congress had failed.
As a result, they felt that the only way they could get a response from party was to  physically disrupt the primary election. There are 33 aspirants in all. Most of them eminently qualified to be governor. However, media reports have indicted some of these prominent Nigerians in the roles they played in the violence that trailed the election. In all, there were two former governors, three former senators with one of them being a presidential adviser. Former commissioners and members of the House of Representatives. There are academics, successful business men among others. As such, violence was not expected from where these prominent people are gathered.
To worsen matters, these aspirants have engaged in media finger pointing, making wild allegations against each other following the cancellation of the exercise. The mudslinging has become toxic. It is as if the election is a matter of life and death. The gladiators have refused to tone down their rhetorics or even apologise for the misconduct. Instead they have tried to justify it or shift blame. We think they have erred and have not shown appropriate conduct. The least they should do is apologise to Ekiti residents. But it appears politicians contrary to their posturing do not really care about the people they pretend to want to serve.
On the other hand, the ruling party in the state has discharged its obligation creditably. Their primary which was thought to have reputation for violence has been held without acrimony. This is an irony. The party fighting to dislodge the ruling party instead of presenting a united front is in such a mess. The one that had the notoriety of bad behaviour is the one the has pulled off a commendable congress. APC needs to put its house in order. They run the country and is expected to be a model of good conduct. More importantly, their aspirants should realise that the people await them at the general poll on July 15. Their misbehaviour  during the primary could affect their chances.

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