The primary election of any political party is one of the means in which aspirants test their popularity and loyalty to the test. Politicians are known for long-term planning. Those eyeing elective offices usually begin preparations early enough, familiarising themselves with the electorate and identifying with communities and party loyalists.
In Nigerian politics, this process is often highly capital-intensive. Aspirants spend enormous resources supporting communities, empowering individuals, attending social functions, and building networks, all in a bid to warm their way into the hearts of prospective voters and party members.
Now imagine that after years of making sacrifices, building structures, and gradually earning acceptance among supporters and party faithful, some powerful individuals suddenly summon such politicians and order them to step down their ambitions for someone else.
That is precisely what is increasingly playing out in Nigerian politics today. One word has gradually become both fashionable and dangerous in the nation’s political space: consensus. What should ordinarily represent voluntary agreement among political stakeholders has, in many instances, degenerated into a convenient tool for imposing preferred candidates on party members and aspirants.
In the case of Anambra APC, The Electoral Committee headed by Chief Olisa Metuh should tread with caution. The news coming out from their Committee on consensus candidates are not encouraging at all. This may lead to litigations and apathy on the side of party members.
I have asked in my earlier write up, what is the criteria for arriving at this consensus arrangement? The way and manner the committee is going, APC will not make any meaningful impact in this election. In the build up to 2019 and 2023 elections, I raised the same issue, the outcome is there for us to see.
As a Party, We cannot be talking about consensus in Abuja. If the committee is sincere and true that they Want APC in Anambra State to have a reasonable outing in the 2027 Elections, they should take the consensus arrangement down to the people.
Any consensus arrangement in APC Anambra without the impact of the Ward, LGA and Stakeholders of those various chapters is a fraud. It will not stand and it will lead to abysmal performance of the Party.
In the cases of Nnewi North/Nnewi South & Ekwusigo, Orumba North and South, Anambra East and West, Oyi & Ayamelum Federal Constituencies, what are the criteria used in arriving at those choices.
We should consider consensus on the altar of friendship or how some dresses. Politics is local and as a Representative, if you cannot come down to the level of the people you want to govern, you have no business contesting the election, unless if the motive of contesting is to share Tinubu and APC Campaign funds amongst those who gave the person the ticket in the first place.
Consensus should be merit and popular opinion of the people at the ward, Local Government and the Federal Constituencies. Consensus should not be on the basis of who is your friend or who is based in Abuja.
The Election Committee headed by Chief Olisa Metuh should go back and redo the fraudulent consensus that is going on.
Anambra APC Members and Stakeholders should be allowed to chose their representatives. Chief Olisa Metuh cannot come from Nnewi and impose consensus candidate for the good people of Oyi & Ayamelum, Ihiala, Anambra East & West, Orumba North and South and so on. Let the people of those localities and their stakeholders decide.
And there should be criteria for that. Anything short of this, we are inviting massive apathy and failures for the Party.
– Paschal Candle
