From Marcel Duru Owerri
Hon. Onyemauche Igbokwe who lost out in the APC primary for Imo East Senatorial Seat has described APC primaries as undemocratic, sham, and senseless imposition of Candidates Speaking after his defection to Social Democratic Party (SDP), he said that APC primaries were decided by “elite consensus” and not by delegates’ votes. described the process as shutting out aspirants who didn’t have backing from top party leaders, calling it a system where “internal democracy is often subordinated to elite consensus.- Igbokwe said he left because couldn’t get a level playing field in APC.contended that APC is not a political party but a group of cabals who did not consider the present and the future democratic realities of this country.They do every thing with impunity not considering what Will be the out come in the World democratic View that shape the future of Nigeria and I still maintained that majority of politicians in APC are not democrats.“The consensus arrangement may have failed publicly, but in reality the consensus list was what was eventually executed. The voting exercise only became a formality to legitimise decisions already taken by powerful interests within the party.”
Igbokwe further described it as _“a sham wrapped in the language of democracy, insisting it fell far short of members’ expectations.He added that APC is a Political Party across the World without accreditation, inconsistencies in collation, results that “stretched mathematical credulity,” and results announced without actual voting.It could be recalled thatOguta LGA protested “imposition” of a chairmanship candidate, saying it violated zoning and undermined fair play.Secondly the Wife of late Governor of Ondo State Betty Akeredolu called the alleged consensus for Imo East Senatorial ticket a “kangaroo election” and said she was denied the delegates lists.The main grievances of the primaries centered on pre-determined, with voting used only for show, or camoflage not real choice and that the majority chosen were midiocres simple because they were o! yes members who will take any nonsenses that will come from their godfathers.
