By Ehi Eweka

BENIN—THE peaceful conduct of All Progressives Congress, APC, primaries, in Edo State which produced Mr. Godwin Obaseki as the  party’s governorship candidate ahead of the governorship election  is a credit to Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his belief in one-man-one vote.

Executive Director, Media and Public Affairs, to Edo State Governor, Mr. John Mayaki in a statement titled: ‘Edo APC Primary And Its Cascading Impact on Democracy,’ appreciated the disposition of the Governor, the Leader of the party in the state and the unmistaken role of APC national Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun in the peaceful conduct of the primaries.

According to him, “We also commend the tremendous candor and spirit of camradeship  exhibited by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Pius Odubu and the vigorous issue-based campaignby Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (retd), Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor, Comrade Peter Esele, Mr. Blessing Agbomhere, and Mrs. Tina Agbara among others who gave fillip to the entire democratic experience-we are all the winner for it.”

He further said: “No doubt, changing the rules to ensure coronation would not only have done a debilitating blow on democracy, it would have doubled as a sign of weakness. A candidate that cannot win support of a majority of delegates voting their consciences does not deserve to be the nominee and certainly has no legal right to be.

“If the APC stands for nothing more than anointing a candidate with the most “bound” delegates, then it stands for nothing – this is not the situation – free delegates primary certainly has cascading impact for a stronger democracy in Edo State in particular and Nigeria in general and this is what we have witnessed.”

“Comrade Adams Oshiomhole’s chafe against coronation of the aspirant is undisputable. He believes the National party is its own organization with the right to decide how voting at the primary is conducted and the right of every delegate to vote his or her individual sentiments – even the ‘super-delegates.

However, recent weeks have not been kind to him smarting from the barrage of accusations, but, Mr. Governor is the best for it today.  He welcomes this open primary with delegates “unbound” and this will translate to giving verve to the party and unifying it in building consensus and making our candidate stronger for the general election.

“No doubt, he is well bred to know that anti-democratic statutes cannot be enforced without recognizing that delegates are bound only by their consciences in electoral politics and have a right to choose their representatives.”