National Secretary, Nigeria Union Of Journalists, and Public Affairs Analyst, Achike Chude has downplayed the alleged hoarding of APC nomination forms, describing the controversy as minor.
Recall that several APC aspirants alleged that they paid millions of naira and met all requirements, but were denied APC nomination forms, raising concerns over transparency and internal bias in the party.
The NUJ National Secretary said this while speaking with ARISE NEWS in an interview on Tuesday.
He said: “These things will arise. We should not be under the illusion that because it is the dominant party, that you will not have even mini-crises. These are just ripples,” he stated.
Reacting to complaints from aspirants who claim they paid substantial fees without receiving forms, Chude noted that internal disagreements are inevitable in any party driven by competing interests.
“Some of these crises definitely because as long as you have human beings being motivated by different interests, these interests, within this kind of contention will definitely come to the fore,” he said.
He however noted that the APC has the capacity to contain the situation and reach a resolution.
“So when matters get to the fore, there’s always a structure that can manage that crisis so that it doesn’t become a problem for the party. I think they have the capacity to do that. So it will be settled.”
Acknowledging concerns over the high cost of nomination forms, Chude argued it reflects the expensive nature of the presidential system.
“So when you now talk about the moneys that are being spent, is there anything that the INEC can do or maybe look at the electoral act? Well, INEC is coming up with something about that. But I think it has to do essentially with the nature and character of the system,” he explained.
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