Tension Raises in APC over Kogi, Bayelsa guber polls

Disturbed over the tension induced by the
Sep­tember 19 governorship primaries in Bayelsa State, the National Working Committee (NWC) of All Progressives Congress ( APC) will meet with aspi­rants on its platform today, in a bid to prune down their number.

The NWC will also deliberate on the just con­cluded governorship primaries in Kogi State, which produced former governor, Abubakar Audu, as its standard bearer, in a bid to calm frayed nerves and forge a united front in the governorship election slated for November.

It was gathered that the meeting would also dis­cuss the allegations that the party’s chairman in the state, Chief Tiwei Timipa Orunimighe, threatened some delegates.

According to sources, the NWC did not want to take chances in the Bayelsa election and would prune down the number of aspirants to ensure a ran­cour- free primaries.

Reacting to the allegations against him, Orun­imighe denied threatening delegates, and assured that the party leadership would provide a level playing field for all aspirants.

He said: “All I know, is that only the national leadership knows what to do about the primary. I don’t know the delegates and people are bound to say whatever they want. We know those doing it.

“I am for all aspirants and cannot be biased as people have alleged. This is a party we built with our sweat and blood; so, we will not allow outsiders to hijack it.”

A national officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the reports of threats against del­egates was upsetting and the party was not taking it lightly.

“The development is really upsetting and it sets a dangerous direction, because we need to win the Bayelsa governorship election. We have received the reports and the party has already commenced coded investigations into the matter. We can’t al­low this in our party because we need people and people make parties. The NWC will meet with all the aspirants tomorrow (today) and this matter will be discussed and warning issued to all affected, be­cause we will not allow that to fester and destroy our chances in the election.”