National convention: APC to adopt secret ballot

By Umar Muhammad Puma

The All Progressives Congress (APC), has said it would adopt secret ballot system of voting in the forthcoming national convention to elect the party’s presidential candidate holding in Lagos on Wednesday.

The APC National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this to newsmen during a pre-convention press conference in Lagos.

He also said  over 8,000 delegates drawn from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, are expected to participate in the convention and the presidential primaries that would elect the party’s flag bearer out of the five presidential aspirants of the party.

The five aspirants, according to Mr. Mohammed, include a former head of state, Muhammadu Buhari; former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar; Governor of Kano state, Rabi’u Kwankwaso; Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha and Publisher of Leadership newspaper group, Sam Nda-Isaiah.

“The five aspirants would address the delegates, stressing their programmes before the commencement of voting, which will be by secret ballot,” he said.

Mr. Mohammed said adequate arrangements have been made by the National Convention Committee, headed by former Governor of Ekiti state, Kayode Fayemi for a hitch-free convention.

“The various sub-committees are working round the clock to ensure that the convention succeeds and become a reference point in the political history of the country.

“We are also collaborating with relevant agencies to ensure effective security, crowd control, traffic management, medical attention among others,” he said.

He also assured Nigerians who may not be opportuned to be at the venue of the convention that arrangements have been made for effective live coverage of the entire process by some radio and TV stations.

In secret ballot, delegates will have the sole liberty to decide who to vote for without fear they may be victimized after.