THE ABSURDITY OF A PARALLEL PRIMARY ELECTION

BEYE KINGSLEY

The term parallel election refers to an unofficial alternative election organized to undermine the legally recognized electoral process without constitutional backing. In every serious democratic setting, elections and party primaries are guided by laid down procedures, constituted committees, accredited officials, designated venues and recognized authorities. Anything outside these structures amounts to political theatrics designed to create confusion and mislead unsuspecting supporters.

This reality aptly captures the drama surrounding the so-called “parallel congress” being celebrated by a few loyalists of Ned Nwoko in the aftermath of the legitimate Delta North Senatorial primaries of the All Progressives Congress. The authentic primary election was officially endorsed and powered by the party with all requisite committees duly constituted in line with party guidelines and democratic convention. There were recognized officials, scheduled venues and properly coordinated activities under the authority of the party structure.

It therefore becomes laughable that some individuals would gather themselves in scattered locations, outside the officially approved process, and proceed to declare results as though democracy has suddenly become a free-for-all affair. Since when did political primaries become an anything-goes carnival where anyone can wake up, move to any location of personal choice and proclaim himself organizer, umpire and returning officer all at once?

An election is not a roadside gathering. It is a regulated process backed by rules and institutional authority. Once a political party constitutes committees and fixes venues for its congress or primary, every aspirant and supporter is expected to operate within those parameters. Any attempt to circumvent such arrangements amounts to an affront on party supremacy and internal democratic order.

The so-called parallel congress was clearly designed to upend the legitimate primary election already conducted by the party. It lacked legal standing, institutional recognition and procedural credibility. At best, it was a kangaroo gathering staged for propaganda purposes; at worst, it was a desperate attempt to manufacture legitimacy where none exists.

An election that has committees, has scheduled venues, then somebody carries himself to another place to declare result, who does that?, as our local people will humorously ask, "Nor be juju be that?”, Indeed, democracy cannot function on the basis of political magic or self-help arrangements. Rules must matter, processes must be respected and party authority must remain supreme.

The integrity of any electoral process depends on discipline and adherence to laid down procedures. Once parallel structures are encouraged, chaos becomes inevitable. Today it may be parallel primaries; tomorrow, every dissatisfied group may begin to organize private elections in beer parlours, hotel lobbies and village squares while claiming legitimacy. Such absurdity must never be normalized.

Supporters of every aspirant must understand that political contests are not won through noise, emotional blackmail or illegal gatherings. They are won through recognized democratic procedures. The legitimate Delta North Senatorial primary remains the only valid process recognized by the party in Delta State headed by Chief Solomon Arayenka and Engr Dan Ossai as the Delta North APC Chairman, and no amount of political gymnastics can alter that fact.