DANGERS OF ASPIRANT ENDORSEMENT AND LACK OF CONSTITUTIONAL AWARENESS
Where there is no law, there is no offense. Laws exist to guide the conduct of individuals within a society, and ignorance of the law is never an acceptable defense in any court of law across the globe.
Recently, some ward chairmen in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State were reportedly misled into publicly endorsing a political aspirant, even though party primaries were still months away and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had not declared the campaign season open.
This act reflects a serious miscalculation. By prematurely aligning with a specific aspirant, these chairmen risked alienating other contenders, who may now choose to avoid such wards entirely. More critically, if the endorsed aspirant does not win the primary, what becomes of these chairmen’s standing with the eventual party flagbearer? Their positions could become politically untenable.
What Does the APC Constitution Say?
While the All Progressives Congress (APC) constitution does not explicitly prohibit endorsements or pre-primary campaigns, it strongly emphasizes fairness, transparency, and party unity.
1. No Explicit Ban, But Emphasis on Equal Opportunity:
The APC constitution does not categorically ban endorsements. However, it underscores that all aspirants must be given equal opportunities to compete, especially in direct primaries. Premature endorsements, particularly by party officials, can create an uneven playing field and may influence the primary outcome unfairly.
2. Divergent Views Within Wards:
Endorsements by ward chairmen can cause internal conflict, especially when the majority of ward members support a different aspirant. Such unilateral decisions can lead to division, disenfranchisement, and resentment among party faithful.
3. Maintaining Party Unity:
Party unity is a core value enshrined in the APC constitution. Any action—including endorsements—that undermines this unity contradicts the party’s fundamental principles. Were the recent endorsements in line with the party’s values and ethical standards?
4. Respect for Internal Party Processes:
The APC constitution assigns significant responsibility to internal party structures such as the National Executive Committee (NEC) and the National Secretariat to ensure credible primaries. Therefore, any form of campaigning or endorsement must respect these structures. Elected representatives have a duty to consult widely within their constituencies—especially when political opinions differ—for the sake of posterity and accountability.
Conclusion:
In summary, while the APC constitution does not outrightly ban pre-primary endorsements, it promotes a level playing field, internal democracy, and party cohesion. Any endorsement or campaign activity must align with these guiding principles.
Therefore, ward officials—especially chairmen—who endorse aspirants without the backing of their constituents or without following due process, risk not only undermining the integrity of the party but also eroding public trust. Such actions should attract appropriate disciplinary measures, either through the State Chairman or other lawful mechanisms provided within the party structure.
This will serve not just as a deterrent, but also as a step toward preserving the dignity, standard, and credibility of the party.