APC Aspirant Alex Ajipe Champions Direct Primaries for Credible Leadership
Alex Ajipe, an aspirant for the Ondo North Senatorial seat under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has declared that the direct primary mode is the most credible system for political parties to select their standard bearers. He made this statement during a recent appearance at the Ondo State Radiovision Corporation (OSRC/Orange FM) in Akure, the state capital, on a platform titled 'The Circuit.'
Advocating for Transparent and Cost-Effective Elections
While speaking on the topic 'Scaling the Hurdles of Bad Governance through Qualitative Representation,' Ajipe emphasized that direct primaries, when properly conducted, offer a cost-effective and transparent pathway for party members to exercise their franchise. He maintained that the ideal primary election should allow party members to simply queue behind their preferred candidate, with officials counting them manually and recording the figures in a transparent manner. This approach, he argued, fosters greater accountability and reduces the influence of money and manipulation in the political process.
Criticizing Political Cliques in Ondo State
However, Ajipe expressed concern over what he described as the prevailing political culture in Ondo State, where federal appointees and legislators allegedly form cliques to oppose incumbent governors in pursuit of their personal political ambitions. He called for an end to such antagonism, urging political appointees, particularly those at the federal level, to unite with the governor in delivering democratic dividends to the people. This unity, he stressed, is essential for overcoming governance challenges and ensuring effective representation.
Media and Governance Insights from NUJ and OSRC Officials
In her remarks, Odunayo Sawyerr, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) OSRC/Orange FM Chapel, highlighted that bad governance in Nigeria constitutes significant obstacles, such as corruption, which undermines public confidence and impedes advancement. She noted that citizens are often confronted with development challenges due to these systemic issues. On their part, the Director-General of OSRC Media Group, Kenneth Odusola Stevenson, and the Director of News and Current Affairs, Taiwo Ibitoye, commended the topic as apt. They emphasized that qualitative representation flourishes when the media insists on transparency and unearths malfeasance, playing a crucial role in holding leaders accountable and promoting good governance.
