A former Minister of Communications, Barrister Adebayo Shittu has alleged that former Oyo State governor, late Abiola Ajimobi and former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomole conspired to disqualify credible candidates from the 2023 elections.
OYOINSIGHT recalls that Shittu, who revealed this in a recent interview, was disqualified from the 2019 primary election of the APC over his failure to undergo a year one mandatory NYSC programme.
Speaking further, the Saki-born politician maintained that the APC must ahead of the 2023 general elections carry out reforms that will place meritocracy as the most important factor for the selection of candidates.
“You see, the issue of merit must always be uppermost. The issue of democratic selection must always be adhered to. Trying to impose candidates as well as preventing qualified people from having access to party members in making their choice should be discouraged at all levels.
“In Nigeria, so many governors are so powerful that they want to dictate the party system for their selfish reason. For a progressive party like APC, we must ensure that that doesn’t happen anymore. When there are primaries, it should be transparent. Selection should be done on a meritorious basis.
“Not people conspiring to disqualify competent candidates like the then Oyo governor did in coalition with Adams Oshiomhole. So, merit must be the yardstick. There must always be a primary election. And the selection process should be transparent.
“If these are not put in place, then we must be ready for its consequences. My appeal is that the era of cutting corners should be over. We must always ensure that votes of party members count in all primary elections,” he said .
