Delta APC Primaries: Jones Erue Led SWC Adopts Indirect Primary

The Prophet Jones Erue led State Working Committee (SWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State has adopted the indirect primaries mode of electing its candidates for the forth coming 2019 elections.

This adoption was the resolution of the party at an enlarged meeting of the members of the State Executive Council (SEC) at the party’s State Secretariat in Asaba on Friday, September 7, 2018 where majority of the stakeholders spoke in favour of the indirect mode.

The stakeholders based their support of the indirect primaries on the ugly events that marred the last congresses held in the State which witnessed series of violence and the eventual death of a ward aspirant in Ughelli South Local Government Area.

They further posited that the unorganized cum absence of a recognized register of APC members in the State, will spell doom for the party if it engaged in direct primaries.

Among the lead speakers who rallied for the choice of indirect primaries, included, Senator representing Delta Central, Ovie Omo-Agege, APC Chieftain and BOT member of the party, Chief Frank Kokori, a governorship aspirant, Iyke Odikpo, Executive Director, Business development NEXIM Bank, Mrs. Stella Okotete and other members of the SEC.

However, Prof. Pat Utomi who spoke in favour of direct primaries was quickly overwhelmed by the crowd of SEC members who disagreed with his view.

After deliberation by the stakeholders, a former member of the federal house representatives, Hon. Halims Agoda moved a motion for the adoption of the indirect primaries which was seconded by the APC Chairman Ukwuani Local Government Area, Mr. Elugbe Cletus Elugbe.

This was followed by a resounding adoption of the indirect primaries mode following a voice vote put forward by the chairman, Prophet Jones Erue.

Speaking to journalists at the end of the meeting, the Senator representing Delta Central at the National Assembly, Ovie Omo-Agege said that the choice of indirect primaries by the State APC represents the choice of the people.

In contrast to the Osun State direct primary which he was part of, Omo-Agege revealed that the challenges witnessed at the exercise which is unknown to the public, cannot be surmounted by Delta State APC as virtually the 36 states in the country will be conducting primaries simultaneously which will be devoid of the additional resources and assistance recorded during the exercise in Osun.