Without mincing words, the July 19 primary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is going to be a tough test for the leadership of the party. A make or break one for that matter, as it will either boost the party chances or reduce it
Too many events have happened, either in the ruling party or the opposition parties, virile or not that have shown to everyone both within and outside the state that the polity is over charged.
From the ruling APC and PDP, there are about 30 aspirants jostling for the topmost seat and they are battle ready to cool off on the seat. An election with too much aspirants has often time shown to be unwieldy. Candidates who feel unsatisfied with the process have always defected to other parties, causing a crack at the other end.
Another is the cry of alienation. Majority of aspirants and some stakeholders from the West are hellbent on this as if their lives depend on it. Recall July 6 march to the Osun APC party Secretariat in Osogbo by a number of youths from the zone, where they demanded that the ticket be conceded to them.
The agitation for the turn of Osogbo by the indigenes of the town can’t be overlooked. That of Ife, and those who seek a level playing ground for aspirants from all zones are reminders that the pendulum will swing to one side, anyway, hence the capacity of the party leadership to manage the situation.
The means through which the flag bearer will be decided has raised dusts in the ruling party. The direct primary is not going down well with some individuals, while some called for a direct primary to allow a popular candidate emerge.
On Monday, Barrister Goke Ogunsola, the Legal adviser to the party in the state, alongside other members of the State Working Committee announced the suspension of the Chairman, Prince Gboyega Famodun , and the Secretary, Alhaji Rasak, Salinsile.
No doubt, in a contest like this, atmosphere will be charged, tension will rise, but at the end, not everybody will be satisfied with the outcome, just as it happened in Ekiti.
What is important is that, we should all remember, that only one candidate will emerge, hence, the need to thread with caution and allow the interest of the generality of people to prevail, particularly on how to sustain the developmental legacy of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
- Abimbola Bisiriyu, Ikirun, State of Osun.
