Stakeholders express fears over ADC presidential primary, says party not different from others
Some stakeholders within the African Democratic Congress on Friday, expressed fears about the possibility of its party to provide the alternative.
They claimed that less than seven days to the party’s convention the schedule was yet to be made public, adding that delegates were not known.
Our correspondent reports that the party has been receiving presidential aspirants almost daily, as some members still lament the lack of authentic list for the delegate election.
According to a source who begged for anonymity, there was no clear cut difference between how things were done in the major political parties and the ADC.
He noted that money politics determined who gets ticket or not, stressing that they were only different in name and slogan without any changes.
He said, “ADC is now a money circulation Party, collecting from anybody who is contesting a position. Godfatherism plays a vital role in putting the party structure, nearly four days to National Convention but yet they are yet to release any information about the party convention so that they will just appoint who ever they like.”
The source lamented what he described as deliberate attempt by party leaders to manipulate the process, adding that as the reason for ensuring both convention and primary election were held together to manipulate the process.
“In any case they put the national convention and primaries together since it will hold on the the same day with presidential primaries, nobody can tell you who the delegates are.
“Their plan at the convention is to indirectly put who ever they like many people will retain their seat.The will not even sell form to anybody who is willing to contest for party executives seat at the National Convention,” the source added.
When our correspondent contacted the party’s National Vice Chairman Ibrahim Manzo, to get reaction on the allegations, he debunked it referring us to Director of Information.
Speaking through a telephone interview with our correspondent, State Chairman of Osun State, Charles Omidiji said all barriers were clear for the party to conduct its primary.
Omidiji revealed that his state delegates were 73 including him and that they would be available at the party’s convention.
He said, “The delegates are okay, we are prepared and we have all of them on ground.”
Responding on the challenges faced by other states in determining delegates list, Omidiji added, “I’m not aware, I’m only aware of Osun State and we don’t have any issue with our delegates, they are intact we have 73 delegates, two across the Local Government Areas and they were elected at our Congress and we have 10 special delegates and we have BOT and chairman of which am one.”
Omidiji while commenting on the party’s readiness confirmed that the ADC is the third largest political party, emphasising that aside APC, PDP his follows.
He noted that money is pivotal in other parties, adding that it would play less role in determining the ADC’s flagbearer.
Omidiji added, “All other parties are having either one, or two candidates but we have about twelve so far, money will play important role, there is nothing we can do in Nigeria without money, delegates’ money is not affecting ADC like other parties however, it is still important. In APC, PDP if you become a delegate you have turned to a millionaire but in our party it is not like that, what we have is money for your comfort.”
According to him, it is not their fault bringing primary election to convention, while blaming INEC for the unfavourable changes in the election calendar.
“It is not our fault, INEC, has changed totally, it is nobody’s fault ooo,” Omidiji said.
On his part, former Sokoto ADC chairman, Aminu Yabo said the party if not careful would be enmeshed in political tsunami, adding that officials have been replacing names.
“We conducted our own election and we were undergoing screening with the security operatives only for me to be substituted without any justification. We have issues,” Yabo said.