Some aggrieved youths of the All Progressives Congress from the 33 local government councils and 35 local council development areas of Oyo State protested against the use of indirect primaries to determine who becomes the party’s standard bearers during elections.
The youths, bearing placards with different inscriptions, said they would not accept the decision to use indirect primary and imposition of candidates.
Some of the inscriptions on the placards read, ‘Oyo wants direct primary in Nigeria and Ondo’, ‘Oyo want direct primary elections in APC’, ‘APC wants direct primary in Ondo’, ‘APC want direct primary in all state’, ‘APC needs Ondo,’ ‘Save APC in Ondo’, ‘We advocate for direct primary in Ondo’, and ‘Direct Primary, no indirect Primary,’ and President Buhari, please save APC.’
According to the protesters, the indirect primary and imposition methods had led to the emergence of unpopular candidates and affected the party’s fortune during elections.
The aggrieved youths, under the aegis of the APC Youth Vanguards, said the protest was a way of expressing their minds to the National leadership of the party through the state executives.
The youths, who converged on the Oyo State Secretariat of the APC at Oke Ado, said the implementation of indirect primary should stop starting with the forthcoming primary in Ondo State.
A leader of the group, Adelekan Julius said, “We are here to let our leaders know what we are facing, not only in Oyo State, but throughout the country. We can see what is happening here and there concerning the primaries and we believe that if there is direct primaries in Ondo and Edo states, there will be no room for godfatherism.
“In other word, we want the primary elections to be direct so that our people can vote for the candidate of their choice and not an imposed candidate. We believe that our leaders in Oyo State can help us to let the National leaders know what we are facing and what we want.”
Olayioye Olayinka said, “The issue of imposition, consensus and direct primaries have been a stumbling block against the progress of the party. Although we have been nurturing it silently, it has been difficult for us.”
In his reaction, the Oyo State APC Secretary, Mr Mojeed Olaoye, said, “We are surprised to see the youths who are members of our party. They came here to express their minds to the party.
“It has to do with primary elections. They are reacting to what is happening in Ondo and Edo states. They said in the case of Ondo State, they want direct primary and they have the right to make such demand because in democracy, you must allow people to express their views.”
