Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi on Saturday, said he was not bothered by the gale of defections which greeted the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus arrangement for various political positions in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the consensus arrangement Nwifuru anchored did not favour many aspirants, who expressed their grievances by leaving the party.
Nwifuru however, told newsmen while monitoring the APC primaries for the house of representatives in areas where concensus has failed, that it was within their rights to make decisions.
“I am happy that people are willing and ready to even join other parties to test their popularity. It is allowed and that is democracy,” he said.
He however, noted that majority of the people were happy with the consensus arrangement, where the party’s stakeholders were adequately engaged.
“We had several stakeholders meetings where issues were sorted out at the zonal and consultancy levels.
“What we are presently witnessing is election of candidates to fly our party’s flag and with everyone’s support, competent candidates would be elected,” he said.
Nwifuru dismissed the report that the consensus aspirant for the Afikpo/ Edda federal constituency was disqualified, which gave rise to a parallel primaries’ speculation.
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“Who disqualfied him? You are just telling me now. We have only one congress committe and when people are contesting elections, the normal thing is to test their popularity on the field.
“There is no need for a parallel congress and nobody is going to conduct any parallel congress,” he said.
The state APC Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro–Emegha disclosed that the party was united and the peaceful atmosphere under which the primaries was being conducted attested to such fact.
“We are one big family and will always resolve all contending issues,” he said.
(NAN)
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