The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the decision of the party on how to select its candidates for various elective public offices is final.
Cross River State chairman of the party read the riot act to members of the party during a radio programme on Saturday.
He said aggrieved members who were not satisfied with consensus arrangements could resign their memberships of the party.
He advised the aspirants for different political offices to decamp if they felt shortchanged as they were not forced to remain in the party.
Many aspirants in the state who were told to accept the consensus arrangements have expressed displeasure.
“If any one of you feels dissatisfied with the decision of the party to go for consensus candidates you can decamp to other parties who are looking for candidates and pursue your ambitions.
“Better still, you may proceed to form your own party where it can be possible to impose your candidature.
“In APC, the decision of the party is supreme.”
Speaking to journalists, a party stalwart, John George Alaha who spoke on behalf of one of the aspirants, said, “consensus is never part of democracy.
We have spent money to buy forms, do declarations and consultations, and we are asked to step down. This is not going down well.”
Another chieftain, a US-based Archbishop, Ikpeme Johnson called on political parties in Nigeria to tread the issue of consensus candidates cautiously.
“Let there be a level playing ground for all contestants both in Cross River State and the country.