Party primaries: Igbo leader harps on level playing field

As the primaries of political parties ahead of the 2015 general elections draw nearer, Igbo leader and member of Board of Trustees (BoT) of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, has stressed the need for all the parties to ensure a level playing field and avoid imposition of candidates on the people.

Ezeonwuka,  who spoke during a visit to APGA  secretariat in Awka, Anambra State said the people were earnestly waiting for the primaries to know those who would emerge as candidates for various positions  in the 2015 elections, even as he expressed optimism that  parties would field credible candidates at the polls.
The Ogirisi Igbo said as a BoT member, he had made it known to the National Working Committee (NWC) of APGA that there should be no imposition of candidates on the people. He urged that all candidates must emerge through democratic process of primary election as stipulated in the party’s guidelines and constitution.
The Igbo leader also urged other political parties to desist from imposition and allow the people make their choice of candidates.
“As BoT member, I have made a strong case against  imposition of candidates in APGA, stressing the need for the party’s guidelines to be followed to the letter during the primaries.”
Let me also use this opportunity to call on other party leaders to take a stand against imposition of candidates during party primaries scheduled to begin later this month,” he said.
Previewing the chances of APGA ahead of the elections early next year, Ezeonwuka said he was optimistic APGA  is certainly going to do well because “it is going to field credible candidates who are ready to make impact in the government of the day. APGA represents a platform of change following the failure of politicians in other parties to live up to expectations as senators, House of Representatives and House of Assembly members.”