Key stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Imo State, have voiced their support for consensus arrangement to elect candidates for various elective positions in the party.
The APC had during it’s National Convention held in Abuja recently, elected it’s National Chairman and other members of the National Working Commitee, NWC, via Consensus.
The method has been commended for saving the party from further ruination, considering the depth of acrimony that rocked the APC before the National Convention.
Speaking to INNONEWS in Owerri, majority of APC stakeholders endorsed the idea on the basis of it’s workability.
A chieftain of the party in the State, Hon Sabinus Okorie, said the consensus method is the way to go for the party primaries.
“The party should focus on capacity of candidates to win the general elections.
“If Governor Hope Uzodimma wants a second term in 2024, he has to begin now to ensure to he and the party leaders, choose, via consensus candidates with capacity, acceptability and the political firepower to guarantee victory for APC in Imo State.
“We have a fierce and desperate opposition party such as the PDP, whose strength has not waned since they lost power in the State through the Supreme Court in January 2020.
“The APC needs to field candidates who are acceptable to the people, candidates who can compliment the efforts of the Governor to ensure victory for the party and stop the PDP from returning to power”he said.
A former Councillor in Isu LGA, Hon. Linus Okere said consensus is one of the ingredients of democracy, thus there is nothing wrong with it.
“It is an acceptable democratic practice. And I am for it in the APC in the State. It has been used severally as a method to select candidates. It did not start with the APC, the PDP started it and we saw the beauty of it.
“The APC in Imo State should adopt it to select solid candidates that would win elections for the party. Sentiments aside, we must retain power for the APC in the State, and we must forward election winning candidates to give us victory.
“We need candidates that would not soley depend on the Governor to win elections.
“Such candidates must have financial capacity, political stamina to withstand the challenge that come from elections.
Ernest Anyasodor, a chieftain of the party said consensus method is acceptable.
He recalled that how consensus approach has augured well for the party.
“Consensus was used to select Frank Ibezim, as APC candidate for Okigwe zone. And it turned out to be a perfect choice. He won the Okigwe Senatorial bye election convincingly.
“Mac Donald Ebere, the Imo APC State Chairman and members of the Exco, emerged through consensus and it has proved to be good idea”