Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, CFR, Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, has dismissed speculations about a purported list of shortlisted candidates for the upcoming party primaries.
In a statement obtained by CDA News Nigeria, Kalu described any such list as against the principles of participatory democracy and declared it null and void.
He clarified that according to the Electoral Act and the APC Constitution, only two approaches are recognized for primaries across Nigeria: Direct Primaries or Consensus, the latter achievable only when all aspirants agree in writing.
“Members are advised to ignore any assumption of a list from any quarters arising from House of Assembly, National Assembly, or Gubernatorial Primaries,” Kalu stated. He urged aspirants to galvanize grassroots support or deliberate with one another to achieve Consensus ad idem.
The APC Leader reassured party faithful that the spirit of people-centred congresses remains alive, calling on members to ignore “antics of disruptors” and focus on preparing for massive electoral victories.
“We have work to do. With you, we built a strong party; with you, we will sustain it,” he added.
