Disagreement Arises Over Unity in Southern Regions

An unusual calm has descended upon the APC in the South-South zone, following allegations that governors have imposed candidates under the guise of consensus candidacy, sparking tension among party members and stakeholders.

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In Cross River State, the circulation of a list allegedly containing candidates adopted by Governor Bassey Otu for the National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections has triggered disquiet, with several serving members of the House of Representatives reportedly excluded from the list.

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The excluded lawmakers include Godwin Offiono of Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, Paul Bassey of Calabar South/Bakassi/Akpabuyo Federal Constituency, Bassey Akiba of Odukpani/Calabar Municipality Federal Constituency, and Peter Akpanke of Obudu/Bekwara/Obanliku Federal Constituency, according to party sources.

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It is alleged that Governor Otu inserted the name of his son, Edem Bassey Edet, to replace Paul Bassey, while Eyoanwan Bassey Otu allegedly backed Stella Ekpo to replace Offiono, and another female aspirant, Ushie, was reportedly pencilled down to replace Akpanke.

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The Chairman of Calabar Municipality, Samuel Anam, was named to replace Akiba, a move that has triggered widespread discontent among party members and stakeholders who fear the move could deepen divisions within the ruling APC ahead of the elections.

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Chief Anthony Okoh, a political figure in Yala, has faulted the alleged arrangement, insisting that Offiono deserved another term, and questioned the rationale behind replacing him with a lady who was recently appointed as Cross River representative at the Federal Character Commission.

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Edem Johnson, another stakeholder, warned the governor against actions capable of weakening the party’s electoral chances, stating that if the imposed candidates scale through, the APC will face serious challenges during the election.

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Mary Amicable insisted that party members should be allowed to decide through direct primaries where consensus fails, citing the President's directive that primaries should hold where consensus fails.

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Bassey Akiba said the APC guidelines clearly provide for direct primaries where aspirants fail to reach consensus, emphasizing the need for the party to adhere to its guidelines.

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However, the APC State Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Edem, defended the process, saying the governor, as leader of the party in the state, remains central to party decisions.

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In Bayelsa State, some members of the APC, particularly in the East Senatorial District, are against consensus arrangements that may affect the existing zoning and rotation arrangement in the area.

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High Chief Olerua Salvation of Ogbia Local Government Area stated that the people of Bayelsa East Senatorial District have a gentleman’s zoning formula that has existed since 1999, and they do not want it to be disrupted by an unpopular candidate.

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Quincy Mac-Odo, a youth leader and Convener of Bayelsa East Forum, said the zoning formula has produced seven senators and has kept the senatorial district in peace, unity, and harmony, and they do not want it to be scuttled by personal ambition.

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Timila Austin, Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, said the demand of the people is simple - equity, citing the precedent set by Chief Melford Okilo, who gave the people the precedent of one tenure of four years in the Senate.

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Some aspirants screened and cleared for the State House of Assembly hailed the process and expressed optimism that the primaries will be credible, following Governor Douye Diri's directive that politicians should exercise restraint and pursue their ambitions based on existing rules and within the ambit of the law.

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In Delta State, social justice advocate and media consultant Austine Aghomi said the process does not pass for consensus building, but rather imposition, as the rule says that for consensus to be seen to have occurred, all aspirants seeking a particular ticket must sign an agreement to that effect.

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An APC stalwart in Asaba argued that if aspirants are not complaining, it means they understand the situation and are committed to how it’s been done, and that most of those claiming to have been unfairly treated benefited from the same consensus candidacy in the past.

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Mr. Gabriel Osekene, another APC stalwart in Delta State, said what the APC did is not consensus, but imposition, which is totally against the law, and that in consensus, all aspirants must meet and agree on the terms.

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Chief Sunday Apah, Senior Special Assistant to Delta State Governor on Media, said it is not true that governors are imposing candidates on anyone, as the constitution clearly states that it is either consensus or direct primaries, which they have adopted.

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In Rivers State, a House of Assembly aspirant on the platform of the APC, Comrade Solomon Lenu, warned that for the consensus arrangement to work, stakeholders must be consulted and their opinions taken into cognizance, and that imposing a candidate by some powerful forces is undemocratic and against the will of the people.