APC Congress: South West Group Insists On Direct Primary Option, Declares Support For Mallam Mustapha

Mr. Marouf Bello stressing a point at the press conference

ABEOKUTA - Ahead of the February 26 National Congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the South West support group for Mallam Saliu Mustapha has insisted on the direct primary as best option to select the party's leadership.

Saliu Mustapha, a Chairmanship candidate hails from the North Central, Kwara state.

The South West Coordinator of Saliu Mustapha Support Group, Adeosun Azeez while addressing journalists at a press conference in Abeokuta on Wednesday said the Direct primary should be adopted as it gives party members opportunity to select their candidates.

Adeosun noted that, although, the direct primary option may not be best suited for general elections, but remains the alternative means of choosing the party representatives.

Speaking on the chairmanship ambition of its candidate, the group noted that Mallam Mustapha's emergence as the party National Chairman would bring freshness and innovation into the party, adding that his personality will douse tension, build trust and confidence among all party members.

According to the Coordinator, their support for Mallam Mustapha was hinged on his youthfulness and experience as best political administrator being the former National Vice Chairman,  Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

The group maintained that Mallam Mustapha's emergence would permanently eliminate any conflict of interest in taking strategic decisions for the party being the only candidate without a record of holding any previous elective positions.

"You will all recall that our party has fixed the 26 of February, 2022 for it national convention to elect new national executives. You will also recall that our party has always have as its chairmen, from inception to be former governors and even the current acting chairman is a sitting governor and this has always come with series of dramas and undue power tussles. 

"We therefore, want thing done differently at this time. We are young and concern party faithful and today, we are gathered here to drum our support to the best aspirant among all other aspirants contesting for the position of the National Chairman of the APC, in person of Mallam Saliu Mustapha.

"After much review and critical analysis of all the major aspirants, we deemed it fit to endorse the candidature of Mallam Saliu Mustapha. The result of our findings shows that: Mallam Saliu Mustapha has previously held the post of National Vice Chairman of Congress for Progressive Change, CPC before the merger that formed APC.

"He is about the youngest and most experience in party administration amongst all the aspirants. And as youths, we believed in the capacity of young and fresh brains in bringing positive innovations to our dear party. 

"Mallam Saliu Mustapha will not only bring about freshness and innovations into running our party, his personality will douse tension, build trust and confidence among all members of the party. 

"He is the only aspirants without any record of holding a elective office such as a governor or senator and has never shown interest in any. These will permanently eliminate any conflict of interest in taking strategic decision for the party.

"Having proven all this points, without any form of bias, you will all agree with me that Mallam Saliu Mustapha is a perfect definition of a modern political steward. Our support for Mallam Saliu Mustapha is in the best interest of our dear party APC and hence we have resolved to mobilize and solicit for support for him from across the party leaders and delegates from all the six south west states."