Ambode meets NWC panel ahead of Lagos APC guber Primary

Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Monday met with the panel appointed by the National Working Committee of the APC to conduct the primary in the state, insisting on a level playing field for all aspirants.

The governor, who spoke when he received members of the panel led by its Chairman, Mr Clement Ebri, said it was important that the election was free, fair and credible.

Gov. Ambode said he had no doubt that the panel would deliver a credible process, adding that such would go a long way to determine the future of Nigeria and the greatness of Lagos in particular.

“This is a star studded election team; the members are distinguished Nigerians in their individual and collective rights. There can’t be any better team than these distinguished personalities.

“I must tell you that what you have taken up may look like a political assignment, but history is on your side. You are being called upon to discharge a selfless service that would determine the future of this country and the greatness of this state.

“I receive this election team as being acceptable and credible to me enough to discharge its civic responsibility to the best of its ability; and to also say that whatever it is that is the outcome of the primaries, your presence has shown that this will be credible and this will be acceptable by me,” he said.

The governor, who recalled that he had gone through the same process with 12 other aspirants to emerge as the governorship candidate of the APC in 2014, said it was not out of place to have other aspirants contest for the same ticket.

“But all I seek is credible primary, transparent primaries and a level playing field.

“There were issues that we have raised and they have been put in form of a letter which I will pass to the chairman and I believe the committee will look into it judiciously,” Ambode said.

Earlier, Ebri, a former governor of Cross River State, said the panel deemed it fit to pay a courtesy visit to the governor as the number one citizen in the state.

“We have come to intimate you that this exercise is going to take place in the next few hours. The process we are laying out will ensure and guarantee transparency and credibility.

“We have people of integrity in this panel and I can assure you that we have the experience to conduct this exercise. We assure you of our sincerity and transparency and we seek your cooperation,” the chairman said.

He said a stakeholders’ meeting had been fixed for Monday evening at the party secretariat in Acme to enable aspirants and other stakeholders exchange ideas concerning the primaries in accordance with the democratic principles of the party.

Other members of the panel are Alhaji Ahmed Mahmud Gumel (Secretary), Mr Nze Chidi Duru, Chief Clever Egbeji, Senator Clever Ikisikpo and Ambassador Jerry Ugokwe.

Source: Punch Newspaper