2019: ASPIRING UNDER APC, NOT A GUARANTEE FOR VICTORY -DALUNG.

By Chuwang Dungs

July 26, 2018

The Minister of Sports and youth development, Mr. Solomon Dalung, has advised politicians who are nursing the feelings that aspiring under the platform of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), will guarantee their victory in 2019 to have a rethink, stressing that the 2019 election will not be along party line.

He said that unlike what happened in 2015 when people voted massively for APC to oust out the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nigerians are more wiser politically and  would not vote candidates according to the political parties they vie on, but the character of individuals vying on the platform such parties and base on performance.

Dalung, stated this over the weekend in Gombe, while delivering his address at the 2018 unity convention of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN). 

He said there are some politicians who think that once they are able to get the ticket to vie under the platform of a big political party, all is settle.

“Let me tell you something, Parties will not count in the next election, what will count are the candidates.”

“Those of you thinking that vying under the platform of APC, will guarantee you winning election in 2019, you better wake up from your sleep, Nigerians are now more politically conscious and wiser. People will no longer vote for a party but for candidates.” He said.

 “We will ensure that votes count in 2019, so the mere fact that you have been elected under a popular party during primary election, is not a guarantee for you to be re-elected during the general elections. You can only be reelected base on your performance. So, APC in 2019 cannot be SAK again, it must be integrity.”

Dalung, further advised the youths to keep to this principle urging them not to give in to the tricks of some politicians usually aimed at using and dumping them.

“I call on you as Nigerian youths and future leaders not to base your criteria for voting on political parties, but to evaluate the individual candidates of the party, their achievements and what they can be able to show in terms of performance.” He said.

The minister who disclosed that the federal government had no candidate or interest in the NYCN election, enjoined delegates to vote for credible candidates who had the capacity of bringing positive changes for them. 

“The federal government is not sponsoring or supporting any particular candidate, but we are more concern for a free, fair and transparent election, because we stand ready to work with those that will be elected by the Nigerian youths.” The Minister said.

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2019: ASPIRING UNDER APC, NOT A GUARANTEE FOR VICTORY – BARR. DALUNG