A group in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Transparency Group (TG), has urged the leadership of the party to ensure that only corrupt-free politicians are allowed to contest for its ticket in the upcoming gubernatorial primary scheduled for August 29.
The group's coordinator, Mallam Ibrahim Gimba Ocholi, at a press conference yesterday in Lokoja, stated the APC won the previous election because of the integrity it portrayed to Nigerians, saying such tempo be sustained by stopping corrupt politicians, particularly those already facing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over alleged stolen funds.
Ocholi added that President Muhammadu Buhari is known by Nigerians as an incorruptible individual, adding: “It is therefore sacrosanct that anyone who will fly the party’s gubernatorial flag must not be corrupt or linked with corrupt acts.
“Kogi will be the first state where our party will test ground; suffice it to say that the party must only allow people who are politically and intellectually mobile with high level of integrity. This state has for long been backward because of corrupt leadership. If the APC at the top is busy fighting corruption, then we must ensure that our party standard bearer must be corrupt-free irrespective of where he or she comes from in the state.”
Reacting to claims that no one has been indicted of corruption in the state, Ocholi said: “Yes the law says accused person is always innocent until proven guilty. Now tell me what if the accused person eventually become a governor with immunity, can he continue to be on trial to know if he or she is guilty or not? I leave that for you to answer.”
Ocholi equally urged the party to ensure a level playing ground for all qualified aspirants in the primary election to avoid imposition and favouritism.