2019 Election: You Are Not Yet Aspirants, Chief Emeka Obegolu Reminds Candidates Who Have Picked Nomination Forms

* APGA GUIDELINES not in violation of the 1999 Constitution * APGA Electoral Guidelines, One Of The Most Comprehensive Guidelines For 2018 Primary Elections Chief Emeka Obegolu, LLM (Dundee), FCIArb(UK), FICMC has said that the APGA electoral guidelines for primary elections 2018 is one of the most comprehensive guidelines issued by a political party in Nigeria for primary elections. Chief Emeka Obegolu made this statement while presenting a paper titled, “Outline and Implementation of the APGA Electoral Guidelines for primary Elections 2018 with insight into the 2014 APGA Constitution (as amended), APGA manifesto and Electoral Act 2010 as amended”, at the retreat for leadership of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and all aspirants of the party for the 2019 general election held at the Finotel hotel Awka on Wednesday, 12th September, 2018. Commending the National Chairman and National Legal Adviser for the making of the document, Mr. Obegolu said that the guideline creates a level playing ground for all aspirants while promoting gender inclusiveness and participatory democracy. Nonetheless, he added that there has never been a perfect document/guideline/legislation, and there probably will never be, therefore, what they need are committed individuals working to make the best out of an imperfect document. “It is a very workable document that has all it takes to lift the party to greater glory, provided commitment of all stakeholders is obtained and all aspirants and party leaders play by the rules.” In riding home his point, Mr. Obegolu enjoined APGA members to look at the guidelines and not the party constitution to settle controversial issues like the statutory delegates and who shall be delegated to Non-Elective Special National Convention for the election of APGA Presidential Candidate. He also assured members of the party of the fact that the primaries will be free and fair as only one candidate will emerge for each office. He also extolled the guidelines for upholding the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. “I also know that within this hall, there are aspirants who, no matter how free and fair these processes are, will still be minded to challenge the outcome in court once the outcome is unfavourable to them. Let me assure all the aspirants here present that only one candidate will emerge for each office and the party can only grow stronger when members accept both favourable and unfavourable decisions made by an organ of the party in the overall interest of the party. “Let me also commend the guidelines for upholding the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which provides for administration of L.G.As by democratically elected officials when the guidelines provided that only elected L.G.A chairpersons can be statutory delegates,” he said. Commenting on the sub-head, “members financially up to date”, Mr. Obegolu listed some relevant articles that are vague and needed clarity and particularly mentioned Article 26(2) which states to the effect that the corresponding obligation on the party is to sponsor the campaign and election of her candidates. He noted that this is the ideal scenario, but while they are yet to get to this level of political advancement, they may take it as a yardstick for measuring party supremacy in the future and the 2019 general election can be considered the future for this purpose. He finally concluded by stating that in the eyes of the law, none of those who have picked their nomination form is an aspirant yet, adding that, the buying of the Party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, completing and returning it, only makes such a party a Prospective Aspirant. “Buying the Party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, completing and returning it only makes you a Prospective Aspirant. You will become a fully-fledged Aspirant after successfully undergoing thorough screening and obtaining a clearance certificate. This is the position of the Supreme Court in several cases like Tukur v Uba, PDP v Sylva, Daniel v INEC etc,” he added.]]>