Democracy on Trial: APC Caucus Pushes Consensus as Stakeholders Demand Free Primaries in Ekiti
The ongoing political conversation within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has taken a dramatic turn, as the APC Integrity Caucus doubles down on party supremacy while a growing chorus of voices calls for internal democracy through free and fair primaries.
In a strongly worded statement, the APC Integrity Caucus warned aspirants seeking tickets for the House of Assembly and National Assembly against defying the party’s consensus arrangements. According to the group, recent rulings by the Federal High Court have reaffirmed the long standing principle that political parties possess exclusive rights over their internal affairs, including the nomination of candidates.
The Caucus emphasized that once decisions are reached through lawful party mechanisms, they become binding on all members. It cautioned that resistance to the consensus process could erode party unity and weaken its chances in forthcoming elections. Describing such defiance as a direct challenge to party authority, the group urged aspirants to align with established structures, noting that loyalty and discipline often yield long-term political rewards.
“Politics is not just about immediate ambition,” the statement read. “It is about trust, relationships, and positioning within the system. Those who respect party processes are never forgotten.”
However, this position has not gone unchallenged.
Amid rising concerns, stakeholders and grassroots voices within the party argue that the consensus model recently used in selecting local government chairmanship and House of Assembly candidates failed to reflect the will of the people. Many insist that the process sidelined popular opinion and undermined democratic values.
As attention shifts to the forthcoming National Assembly primaries, calls for a transparent, inclusive, and credible electoral process have intensified.
Advocates of internal democracy maintain that the Electoral Act provides clear provisions for primary elections and should be upheld in the interest of fairness and legitimacy.
According to this camp, democracy thrives when the people are given the power to choose their representatives not when decisions are imposed through closed-door arrangements.
“Anyone with genuine intentions to serve should not fear the test of the ballot,” a stakeholder noted. “Consensus, as currently practiced, risks being perceived as anti-democratic and disconnected from the masses.”
The debate now places the Ekiti APC at a critical crossroads between maintaining party control through consensus and embracing broader participation through primaries.
With the governorship election on the horizon, many believe that unity must not come at the expense of credibility.
Rather, a balance must be struck one that preserves party cohesion while respecting the democratic rights of its members.
As tensions rise, one thing remains clear: the decisions made at this moment will shape not only the party’s internal stability but also its electoral fortunes in the months ahead.
Published by; ISAPOL CONSULTANCY INFORMATION COMMUNICATION FIRM.
