|By Chinwendu Nwani
The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has defended the ruling party’s conduct of its primary elections, insisting that no other political party in Nigeria can match its level of organisation and execution.
Basiru made the claim during an interview on Arise News, even as the party continues to face criticism over allegations surrounding its primary processes, including candidate imposition, violence, exclusion of stakeholders, and disputes over the consensus method.
Across several states, aggrieved aspirants have accused the party of lacking transparency, arguing that the process often sidelines popular candidates and favours selected interests.
However, Basiru maintained that the APC’s internal electoral system remains the most structured in the country.
He said the party adopted the direct primary option in line with the Electoral Act and described the exercise as evidence of commitment to transparency and internal democracy.
“Based on the reports received from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, I would assess our party very favourably in terms of organisation and the overall results of the exercise,” Basiru said.
“The APC has implemented the direct primary option as stipulated in the Electoral Act, and this process has showcased the party’s dedication to transparency and internal democracy.
I can assert with confidence that by May 29 or 30, it will be rare to find any other political party exhibiting this degree of coordination, openness, and participation as the APC has done.”
Meanwhile, the Deputy National Chairman (South) of the APC, Ben Nwoye, has urged unsuccessful aspirants to either accept the outcome of the primaries or challenge them through established appeal mechanisms.
Speaking also on Arise News, Nwoye said the party’s internal democratic process does not end with the declaration of winners, stressing that there are structured channels for redress.
He explained that dissatisfied aspirants can petition appeal committees and, where necessary, escalate their complaints to the party’s National Working Committee.
“So far, the process has been satisfactory, with democracy being actively witnessed across the country and strong grassroots participation from APC supporters,” he said.
