- Bola Tinubu called on APC members to embrace the party's democratic focus
- He noted that some members were against this notion
- The APC chairman also applauded President Buhari for his democratic stance
Chief Bola Tinubu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused some members of the party of working against the party’s democratic process.
The Punch reports that this was contained in an advertorial titled, ‘APC congresses: Why We Are Here’ and published on Saturday, May 12.
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Tinubu noted that there were those within the party who were against the party’s notion of democracy but said the congresses being held were to show the party’s principles.
He said: “These are not evil people. But a blindness occasioned by their singular pursuit of self-interests caused them to seek to divert the party and its democratic ways. They tried to scuttle congresses and to anoint themselves that they might retain their various positions beyond the agreed term. They sought to do this without recourse to the will of party members who first voted them into their positions.’’
“This debate would determine the fate of the party; it was for the soul of the APC itself. For a time, it seemed the undemocratic forces appeared ascendant. Yet, providence would come to our relief.
“President Muhammadu Buhari refused to take the easy road and instead chose the democratic and right one. He turned the tide from wrong to right by declaring his belief that the party should hold congresses and primaries in order to be true to its creed and democratic nature.”
Tinubu noted that congresses and ward elections went well, there were places were mistakes were made.
“It is our desire that all party members be in good standing and remain in respectful and cordial understanding with each other as well as with the democratic mission of our party.
“We all are human. To live is to err. But to forgive and reconcile is of a higher purpose. Many things can be reconciled in this life.”
Tinubu also spoke about the rescheduled Ekiti gubernatorial election saying action was taken to right the wrongs made.
“Everyone cannot be satisfied by the outcome but we all must respect the fairness of the process. This is the manner of democracy.”
Meanwhile, the minister of mines and steel development, Kayode Fayemi, has emerged the winner of the APC primary in Ekiti state.
The former governor defeated other contestants in the poll with a total of 941 votes, out of the 2337 votes by the delegates, which put him a ahead of other aspirants, The Cable reports.
Fayemi defeated 31 other aspirants including ex- governor Segun Oni who secured 481 votes, to clinch the party's ticket.
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The aspirants who came closest to Fayemi are Kayode Ojo 281 votes, Olufemi Richard Bamisile 179 votes, Oluyede Oluwole 121 votes and Aluko Daniel Olugbenga 86 votes.
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Source: Naija.ng