By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
A political pressure group, the Kogi APC Integrity Forum, has alleged that the Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has no constitutional right to issue certificates of return to candidates who emerged from the party’s primary elections.
The group, in a statement made available to journalists, maintained that the responsibility of issuing certificates of return rests solely with the national secretariat of the APC and not the state leadership.
According to the group, the action of the Kogi APC leadership amounts to taking “short cuts” and ignoring laid down party procedures.
“How can the Kogi APC issue certificates for an election conducted by the national body?” the group queried.
The group further alleged that upon hearing plans by the state chapter to issue certificates of return, the APC national secretariat immediately summoned the state chairman to Abuja.
According to the group, that development was responsible for the indefinite postponement of the planned issuance of certificates.
The forum stated that party processes must be handled with transparency and strict adherence to constitutional provisions in order to avoid internal crisis and possible legal disputes ahead of the general elections.
It warned that actions capable of undermining the authority of the national leadership could create confusion among party members and aspirants across the state.
The group also urged elected and party officials in Kogi State to focus on strengthening unity within the APC instead of engaging in actions that may deepen divisions within the party.
It stressed that due process remains critical to sustaining internal democracy and preserving the credibility of the party before members and the electorate.
The forum further called on the national leadership of the APC to closely monitor activities in the state chapter to ensure that all procedures relating to the primary elections and emergence of candidates are handled in line with the party’s constitution.
The group further questioned why the Kogi APC leadership “always prefers shortcuts instead of following due process,” warning that such actions could create unnecessary controversies within the party.
It urged the party leadership in the state to respect constitutional provisions and allow the national secretariat to handle matters relating to certificates of return for successful candidates.
