By Regina Igwebuike
The immediate past All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) National Chairman, Dr. Victor Oye, Ozonkpu Amawbia, has described the party’s primary election conducted on May 23 as “cumbersome and time-consuming,” while commending the overall outcome.
Speaking to journalists after the exercise, Ozonkpu Oye, who was present at his Ward III, Amawbia, from morning until late evening for the primary election, said the process overstretched the capacity of party officials in his area.
“The election is okay but cumbersome and time-consuming. You can imagine what we’ve gone through here, it wasn’t easy. Our own constituency was orderly. I don’t know about other constituencies. It overstretched our capabilities and ability. All the same, everything has gone well,” he noted.
He urged the party’s leadership and electoral authorities to allow political parties flexibility in conducting primaries according to their structure and capacity, rather than imposing a uniform process.
“Political parties should be given the option to conduct primaries the way they can. Imposing a particular process doesn’t work. Political parties should be independent and work according to their capabilities and vision behind the formation of the party. That is what determines the voting pattern,” he advised.
Despite the challenges, the APGA chieftain expressed gratitude that the exercise was concluded peacefully. “As far as I’m concerned, what happened today was quite cumbersome, but we thank God,” he added.
The APGA primary election was held across the state on May 23, to select candidates for forthcoming polls.
Regina is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
