APC Aspirant Rejects ‘Premature Endorsement’ Ahead of Primaries

By Reporter

A member of the House of Representatives, Marcus Onobun, has rejected reports of a purported endorsement of an aspirant ahead of the forthcoming primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as premature and undemocratic.

In a statement issued on May 8, Onobun said any attempt to endorse a candidate before the party’s screening and primary processes were concluded would undermine democratic principles and the assurances earlier given to aspirants by the party leadership.

According to him, all aspirants had only recently obtained and submitted their nomination forms to the APC National Secretariat, while the official screening process was yet to commence.

“The national and state leadership of the APC has consistently assured all aspirants and party faithful of a transparent, credible, and level playing field throughout this electoral cycle,” he stated. “Any attempt to short-circuit this process contradicts the progressive ideals of our party.”

The lawmaker also faulted claims by some party leaders that the alleged endorsement was carried out on the directive of the state governor, insisting that such assertions were false and misleading.

He described the governor as “a true democrat who respects the rule of law and the will of the people,” adding that the governor would not support actions capable of undermining due process within the party.

Onobun further argued that political popularity and grassroots acceptance should be tested openly among the people rather than through imposed endorsements.

“If this contest is truly about popularity, grassroots acceptance, and political weight, the ultimate acid test is simple: let all aspirants walk freely through the streets of Esan West, Esan Central, and Igueben,” he said.

The federal lawmaker urged his supporters to remain calm and peaceful, assuring them that he would continue engaging party stakeholders while trusting that fairness and justice would prevail in the process.

He reaffirmed his commitment to the unity of the APC and confidence in the party’s internal democratic mechanisms ahead of the primaries.