Imposition: APC youths protest in Kogi, demand direct primaries

All Progressives Congress (APC) youths from Yagbaland of Kogi State on Wednesday held a peaceful protest to the state headquarters of the party to lodge their grievances over alleged moves to impose an anointed candidate on Kogi West senatorial district. The protesting youths who carried placards with various inscriptions, called for justice and a level […]

All Progressives Congress (APC) youths from Yagbaland of Kogi State on Wednesday held a peaceful protest to the state headquarters of the party to lodge their grievances over alleged moves to impose an anointed candidate on Kogi West senatorial district.

The protesting youths who carried placards with various inscriptions, called for justice and a level playing field for all  aspirants in the forthcoming primaries of the party.

Amongst the inscriptions on the placards include : “2019: for fairness, allow Yagba for Kogi West Senate”, “endorsement of unpopular candidate is dangerous to our party’s victory” and “what is Yagba’s crime”, amongst others.

The youth called on the party leadership to adopt the direct primary in the state so as to guarantee fair play and ensure the emergence of credible candidates for the party.

The leader of the group, Owa David who lamented that the people of Yagba have been marginalized in the last 12 years in terms of producing a representative at the National Assembly, called on the party to uphold the existing zoning arrangement by ensuring a candidate from Yagba emerge candidate for the forthcoming election.

APC State Secretary, Onoja Emmanuel Joshua who addressed the protesting youth after receiving their appeal letter,  assured them that the party would not impose any candidate on the people.

He said the party is transparent and run open door policy in its dealings and would not take any action that would tarnish its image as it concerns the conduct of primary.

Onoja urged the youths to go back and do their homework by ensuring they have a credible and sellable candidate that can fly the party’s flag.

He said the party executives would looked into the issues raised in the appeal letter and urged them to remain peaceful and calm while that is being done.