By Festus Ahon,  ASABA

A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress in Delta State, Chief Hyacinth Enuha, has said the party opted for direct primaries to discourage the financial inducement of delegates by deep pocket politicians which usually characterize delegates’ primaries leading to the emergence of unpopular candidates.

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Enuha who made the explanation when a veteran journalist, Mr Victor Sorokwu, a Delta State House of Assembly hopeful in Aniocha South constituency paid him a consultation visit in Ogwashi-Uku, said the party was embarking on membership registration exercise to use as a basis to conduct direct primaries where candidates of the party would emerge for the 2019 general election.

He said the registration exercise which is expected to begin nationwide from next week will cover old and new members, adding however that those who registered in 2013/2014, will be required to revalidate their membership.

Enuha said; “After the registration, permanent membership cards will be issued which will be the voting cards for the direct primaries. There will be no more issue of locking delegates in hotel rooms, feed them for three days and induce them with lot of money to vote for a particular person.

“It will be difficult to bribe the entire members of the party at any level. So, an aspirant does not need to have so much millions to emerge as candidate. What needs to be done is for the aspirant to mobilise the grassroots and convince them to vote for him or her. The direct primary is a popularity contest because the people know who they want.”