Kogi: Audu, Faleke group rejects delegates list, demands direct primary election

The Audu/Faleke political structure in Kogi state has demanded direct primary mode to give a level playing ground to all the 17 governorship aspirants contesting the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in the state.

The group led by Senator Emmanuel Dagana Ocheja, Tuesday in Abuja, placed their demand before the party NWC in a petition at the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, alleging that the process adopted so far for the primary in the state has been compromised and capable of spelling doom for the party during the 11th November State governorship election.

The group faulted a delegate list purported to have been sent to the National Secretariat by the State executive of the party.

They complained that no congress was held for the delegates to emerge, adding that names of serving civil servants were compiled and sent to the party as delegates list for the primary.

According to Ocheja, “We are here on this occasion to humbly and most respectfully draw your attention to the fact that the Kogi state APC Governorship primary process which has resulted in multiple litigations is highly flawed and compromised, a situation which has never been associated with your leadership.

“May we also note that nobody should deceive the National Working Committee of the APC that the list of delegates submitted to the National Working Committee (NWC) for the 2023 Kogi Governorship Primary emanated from any Delegate Congress as non was held anywhere in the state.

“Furthermore, we wish to inform your Excellency that we have it on good authority and it is verifiable that some of the names of delegates submitted on the list are Serving Civil Servants (Local Government Workers) who are not eligible as delegates by law and this could be a subject of litigation eventually.

“Towards this end, may we advise the National Working Committee to tread with caution and resist any attempt by anyone to hijack the process of the governorship primary in Kogi state.

“We passionately appeal to the National Working Committee (NWC) under your leadership to ensure a level playing ground for a free, fair, credible and transparent primary nomination process in the interest of the party. We have expressed confidence in your ability to ensure this as equity, fairness and justice has remained your hallmark in leadership.”

Receiving the group on behalf of the National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the Deputy National Chairman, Senator Abubakar Kyari commended the leaders from the state and promised that the NWC will look into their petition.

Assuring the group that the party would be fair to all concerned, Kyari said the petition will be looked into on its merit adding that the party will do the needful to ensure success at the polls.

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