An Edo-based socio-cultural group, Ogbakha-Edo, has kicked against alleged plans to impose candidates on the people of Edo South Senatorial District, which they said would backfire.
- +2027: Edo group kicks against alleged candidate’s imposition
The group called on President Bola Tinubu to advise his party, the All Progressives Congress not to toe the line of imposition on a people that constitute more than 50 per cent of voters in the state.
The group called on President Bola Tinubu to advise his party, the All Progressives Congress not to toe the line of imposition on a people that constitute more than 50 per cent of voters in the state.
In a statement signed by the chairman and secretary general of the group, Professor Sam Guobadia and Dr. Andrew Izekor, respectively, the group called on other political parties to also jettison such idea.
The group said the leadership of the APC had not denied the allegation, noting that the democratic rights of APC members in Edo South were under serious threat.
The statement added, “We consider this development unacceptable, provocative, and capable of triggering avoidable political unrest within the party and across Edo South.
“In view of the grave implications of these developments, we respectfully call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Leader of the APC, to urgently intervene in this matter before it degenerates further.
“As a foremost beneficiary and symbol of democratic struggle in Nigeria, Mr. President must not allow anti-democratic forces within the party to undermine the credibility of the APC through manipulation, coercion, and imposition.
“The people of Edo South are not second-class citizens within the APC or any other political party. Our zone possesses competent, credible, and qualified aspirants capable of presenting themselves before party members for a free and fair contest. Any attempt to manipulate the process in favour of a pre-selected candidate will be firmly resisted through all lawful and democratic means available.
“Let it be clearly understood that Edo South is watching closely. The growing anger, anxiety, and resentment among party faithful and the wider populace should not be ignored. All political parties, the APC in particular, must choose between democracy and imposition, between justice and manipulation, between unity and avoidable division.”
