Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Special Adviser to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki has condemned what he described as a deliberate campaign of calumny against his principal ,Professor Nentawe Yilwatda following the just concluded APC primaries.
Tooki stated this in a statement made available to journalists and said the attacks were being sponsored by aggrieved individuals dissatisfied with the outcome of the primary elections across the state.
He noted that democratic contests naturally produce winners and losers, stressing that while winners celebrate, it is expected that unsuccessful aspirants may seek legitimate avenues to express dissatisfaction.
His words: “However, what is unacceptable is the desperate attempt by certain individuals to weaponize falsehood, blackmail and misinformation against my principal simply because the outcome of the exercise did not favour their personal interests and political calculations”
According to Tooki, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC had already established transparent and credible mechanisms through duly constituted appeal committees for aggrieved aspirants to ventilate their grievances.
In addition,Tooki said that the NWC had assured stakeholders that all petitions and complaints arising from the primaries would be treated fairly, transparently, and strictly on their merit.
Tooki frowned at how some desperate elements have abandoned the party’s internal democratic processes in favour of media propaganda and character assassination aimed at discrediting the exercise and creating tension within the party.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the guidelines issued for the conduct of the primaries were very clear and unambiguous. Results from the various levels were to be collated appropriately, while the formal declaration of winners would only come after the appeal processes have been concluded,” he said.
According to him, the appeal committees, in collaboration with the NWC, are expected to carefully review all petitions before final decisions are taken in line with the party’s commitment to justice, inclusiveness and internal democracy.
Tooki further alleged that some individuals who do not believe in democratic principles or party supremacy were uncomfortable with due process because of their desire to impose preferred candidates regardless of laid down rules and regulations.
“It must therefore be stressed that the current media attacks against my principal are not driven by patriotism, fairness, or concern for democracy. They are merely reactions from individuals who are unwilling to subject themselves to the established procedures and internal mechanisms of the party,” he added.
He implored party members and supporters not to be misled by false narratives and distorted impressions being circulated in some quarters while reaffirming commitment to truth, justice, party unity, and democratic values within the APC.
END
