Fuss over consensus in South-South 

By Samuel Oyadongha, Egufe Yafugborhi, Emem Idio, Daniel Abia, Ochuko Akuopha & Emma Una

There appears to be an unusual calm in the fold of the APC across the South-South zone, following the alleged imposition of candidates by governors under the guise of consensus candidacy.

Read Also: APC Tickets: Govs, aspirants at war over alleged imposition

Tension in C/River over Otu’s anointed aspirants

Tension is mounting across the three senatorial districts of Cross River State following the circulation of a list allegedly containing candidates adopted by Governor Bassey Otu for the National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.

The controversy is centred mainly on the National Assembly list, as several serving members of the House of Representatives, most of them first-term lawmakers, were reportedly excluded.

Those said to have been dropped include Godwin Offiono of Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, Paul Bassey of Calabar South/Bakassi/Akpabuyo Federal Constituency, Bassey Akiba of Odukpani/Calabar Municipality Federal Constituency, and Peter Akpanke of Obudu/Bekwara/Obanliku Federal Constituency.

Party sources alleged that the governor inserted the name of his son, Edem Bassey Edet, to replace Paul Bassey, while Eyoanwan Bassey Otu allegedly backed Stella Ekpo to replace Offiono. Another female aspirant, Ushie, was reportedly pencilled down to replace Akpanke, while the Chairman of Calabar Municipality, Samuel Anam, was named to replace Akiba.

The development has triggered disquiet among party members, supporters and political stakeholders, who fear the move could deepen divisions within the ruling APC ahead of the elections.

Chief Anthony Okoh, a political figure in Yala, faulted the alleged arrangement, insisting that Offiono deserved another term.

“Offiono is doing well and cannot be replaced. The lady they want to replace him with was recently appointed as Cross River representative at the Federal Character Commission. Why should she resign to contest when the incumbent has not completed the expected tenure under the zoning tradition?” he queried.

Another stakeholder, Edem Johnson, warned the governor against actions capable of weakening the party’s electoral chances.

“If these candidates scale through, APC will face serious challenges during the election. Most of the current Reps members are performing and should be allowed a second tenure,” he said.

Similarly, Mary Amicable insisted that party members should be allowed to decide through direct primaries where consensus fails.

“We will not allow anybody to impose candidates on us. The President has already directed that where consensus fails, primaries should hold. That is what we want,” she stated.

Also reacting, Bassey Akiba said the APC guidelines clearly provide for direct primaries where aspirants fail to reach consensus.

However, the APC State Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Edem, defended the process, saying the governor, as leader of the party in the state, remains central to party decisions.

In Bayelsa

Some members of the APC in the state, particularly in the East Senatorial District, are against consensus arrangements as they may affect the existing zoning and rotation arrangement in the area. Their fear is that an unpopular candidate who is not from the zoned local government may be imposed on them by the governor and party leaders in the state.

High Chief Olerua Salvation of Ogbia Local Government Area said: “We are here to say no to a second term. In Bayelsa East Senatorial District, we have a gentleman’s zoning formula that is existing in our area, and we don’t want somebody to come and spoil the peace we are having in our senatorial district.

“What we are saying as traditional leaders is that it is the turn of Brass Local Government Area to produce the next senator. Our father, Chief Melford Okilo, made this possible for the three local government areas to benefit. He had the capacity to serve a second term in 1999, but because of the love he has for his people, he left the seat for Brass, and the Brass people handed over to Nembe.

“Now, this period, we are hearing rumours upon rumours that the serving senator wants to come for a second term, and we are saying that he should not in any contest for a second tenure. We, the traditional leaders, join hands with the youths to say no to a second term.”

Another youth leader and Convener of Bayelsa East Forum, and former National Vice President of Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Council, Mr. Quincy Mac-Odo, said: “As youth leaders of East Senatorial District, we have a stake. There is already an existing zoning formula from 1999 to date.

“We are here as youth leaders, women leaders, political groups and chiefs to say that the zoning formula that has existed before should be honoured. The zoning formula that has existed for so many years, which has produced seven senators, has kept the senatorial district in peace, unity and harmony.

“We don’t want someone who already knows the existing zoning formula to scuttle it because of personal ambition, we are saying no to a second term.”

Also speaking, Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Mr. Timila Austin, said: “Our demand is simple. Our demand is equity. Since time immemorial, our leader, Chief Melford Okilo, gave us the precedent of one tenure of four years in the Senate.

“There is no arrangement anywhere that there will be a second tenure. It has not been arranged anywhere. It is very simple: the current senator has done his term of four years, and it is now the turn of Brass Local Government Area.”

However, some aspirants screened and cleared for the State House of Assembly hailed the process and expressed optimism that the primaries will be credible.

Recall that Governor Douye Diri had, during a State Executive Council meeting, admonished politicians contesting any position to exercise restraint and pursue their ambitions based on existing rules and within the ambit of the law. He also assured that no aspirant would be disenfranchised; however, he called for respect for the zoning principle where it exists. In line with the directive of the APC, where consensus fails, the party would conduct direct primaries.

In Delta State

Social justice advocate and media consultant, Austine Aghomi, said: “Even the media knows better that what is going on in the APC does not pass for consensus building. It’s sheer imposition.

“Currently, the rule says that for consensus to be seen to have occurred, all aspirants seeking a particular ticket must, of their own free will, sign an agreement to that effect. If all do not concede, they go for direct primaries.

“Presently, what we see is the governor dictating who is allowed to buy nomination forms, who should be cleared or disqualified, even when you meet all nomination criteria. This is not consensus.”

An APC stalwart in Asaba, however, asked: “Is any aspirant complaining? I am yet to hear one complain. Let them cry out, so we understand their position. If they are not the ones complaining, it means they understand the situation and are committed to how it’s been done.

“Nothing strange is happening, actually. Most of those claiming to have been unfairly treated benefited from the same consensus candidacy in the past. Just because it hasn’t favoured them in this election cycle doesn’t mean they’re being unfairly treated. That’s why they can’t come out to complain.”

Another APC stalwart in Delta State, Mr. Gabriel Osekene, said: “When we talk of consensus, there are principles you reach when you are doing consensus. What APC did is not consensus, but imposition, which is totally against the law. But when you take it up from there, they will say it is a party affair.

“In consensus, all aspirants must meet and agree that this is what I want if I am stepping down. In the forms that were filled, there is a portion where you will state the reason why you are stepping down, considering that you want to step down for another person. That step was never reached.

“Prior to this, in almost all the states, there were lists flying that these are the anointed candidates, driving the party towards disintegration. What they are supposed to do is to throw the process open, so that anybody who loses at the primary election will remain in the party and work with the party.”

Senior Special Assistant to Delta State Governor on Media, Chief Sunday Apah, however, said: “It is not true that governors are imposing candidates on anyone, because the constitution clearly states that it is either you go for consensus or direct primaries, which they have adopted.

“In most cases, if the aspirants do not agree, they will go for direct primaries. But once the aspirants agree, then it is consensus.

“Those who are complaining did not meet the requirements. Those who passed screening, and if there is more than one aspirant, they will go for direct primaries, and the party is prepared for that: free and fair primaries.”

In Rivers State, a House of Assembly aspirant on the platform of the APC, Comrade Solomon Lenu, warned that for the consensus arrangement to work, stakeholders must be consulted and their opinions taken into cognizance. Lenu said the idea of imposing a candidate by some powerful forces during an election is not only undemocratic but also against the will of the people.

“Consensus is democratic. But the idea of imposing a candidate on the people by one big man out there can only be resisted when there is a level playing field. People must be given the same treatment and must be allowed access to all available privileges. Anything short of this will not be accepted,”he said.

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