By Deborah Coker, News Agency of Nigeria, Abuja.

The Basil Ganagana Campaign Organisation has stressed the need for Nicholas Mutu, member representing Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency, to respect the will of the people and allow to democracy prevail.

Chancellor of the organisation, Mr Chris Anthony, stated this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

NAN reports that Mutu was defeated by a former Speaker of Delta House of Assembly, Basil Ganagana, in the recently-held primary for the federal constituency, polling 1,093 votes against the winner’s 14,650 votes.

Anthony noted that in spite of the outcome of the primary which did not emerge from manipulation, intimidation or confusion, Mutu had refused to concede defeat.

“Even more troubling are widespread reports and perceptions that efforts are allegedly surreptitiously being made by Mutu to lobby powerful interests within the party structure in an attempt to overturn the clearly expressed will of the people of Bomadi/Patani federal constituency and impose a different outcome outside the democratic process,” he said.

Anthony stated that the recently-concluded APC primary for the constituency represented one of the most keenly contested, peaceful, transparent and widely monitored political exercises in the recent history of the constituency.

“People across the wards freely exercised their democratic rights and overwhelmingly elected Basil Ganagana as the preferred candidate of the party for the 2027 elections.

“The outcome of the primaries did not emerge from manipulation, intimidation or confusion.

“Rather, it reflected a growing and unmistakable desire among the people for democratic renewal, leadership expansion, fairness and broader political inclusion after nearly three decades of continuous representation by one individual – Hon Nicholas Mutu.

“Ordinarily, in every mature democracy, once the people have spoken through a credible process, the expectation from all contestants, particularly experienced political actors, is to accept the outcome in good faith, congratulate the winner and support party’s unity, moving forward.

“This is exactly what distinguished democrats do.

“It is therefore important to commend Preye Okaba, who, in spite of participating fully in the contest, demonstrated remarkable democratic maturity and statesmanship by openly conceding defeat and congratulating Basil Ganagana shortly after the declaration of results,” he said.

According to him, Okaba’s conduct has strengthened public confidence in the democratic process, showing that politics should ultimately be about service and not personal entitlement.

“Unfortunately, same cannot be said of Mutu, whose continued refusal to publicly concede defeat or congratulate the widely-acknowledged winner of the primaries has continued to generate concern among party faithful, stakeholders, and citizens of Bomadi/Patani federal constituency.

“Democracy derives its legitimacy not from political longevity, financial influence or institutional connections, but from the freely-expressed will of the people.

“At every stage of democratic evolution, societies progress when leaders place the collective interest above personal ambition and respect the outcome of transparent electoral processes.

“If Mutu’s actions are anything to go by, they would not only undermine the credibility of the primary, but also create avoidable political tension, deepen public distrust and threaten party unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The reality remains that the outcome of the APC primary did not happen in isolation. Long before the election, there had already been visible signs of widespread dissatisfaction within the constituency.

“Peaceful protests were held in Patani, Bomadi and even at the APC national secretariat in Abuja, clearly demonstrating the growing public demand for leadership transition and democratic expansion within the constituency,” he added.

Anthony explained that the protests were not merely against personalities; but against the fatigue associated with prolonged political stagnation, and were demanding for a new direction.

“For nearly three decades, Bomadi/Patani federal constituency continued to face significant developmental and ecological challenges requiring strong federal intervention.

“Communities across the constituency remain vulnerable to coastal erosion, environmental degradation, flooding and infrastructural neglect.

“One repeatedly cited example is Akugbene community itself, the hometown of Nicholas Mutu, which continued to face severe ecological threats and environmental devastation.

“Many residents believed that after almost three decades in the National Assembly and particularly, after serving for over a decade as Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC, there should have been stronger and more visible federal interventions addressing these long-standing environmental concerns within the constituency.

“The growing agitation for change therefore did not arise from hatred, envy or political bitterness. Rather, it arose from a sincere desire by the people to reset the democratic space, expand political participation and create opportunities for new leadership to emerge,” he said.

He further stated that Mutu was not the first long-serving legislator to face political transition.

“Across Nigeria, several experienced lawmakers have willingly stepped aside, moved to higher responsibilities or allowed leadership rotation in the interest of party unity and democratic growth.

“History also teaches that true democrats are remembered not merely for how long they held office, but for how they conducted themselves when faced with the verdict of the people.

“Former President Goodluck Jonathan remains globally respected today not because he never lost an election, but because he demonstrated extra-ordinary democratic statesmanship by conceding defeat in the 2015 presidential election even before the final collation of results.

“That singular act strengthened Nigeria’s democratic reputation across the world and earned him enduring respect as a statesman.

“This moment therefore presents Mutu with an opportunity to demonstrate similar democratic maturity by respecting the outcome of the APC primary and allowing the clearly expressed will of the people to prevail.

“If indeed his long years in public office have always been driven by service to the people rather than personal political continuation, then the most honourable path now is to support democratic transition, embrace party unity and allow the expansion of leadership space within Bomadi/Patani federal constituency,” he added.

According to the campaign organisation chancellor, attempting to overturn a credible electoral outcome against the mood and wishes of the people can have serious political consequences not only for party cohesion but also for the APC’s electoral fortunes in the constituency, moving into 2027.

“The people have spoken peacefully, clearly and democratically.
Their voices deserve respect.
Democracy must not only be preached; it must also be allowed to prevail,” he said.

NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA