Follow Us on Google
The National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly bye-elections of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held in 12 states have been dogged by complaints and petitions from scores of aspirants following the manner of handling.
The primaries were held to pick candidates who will contest bye-elections to fill vacant seats in the Senate, House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly in Adamawa, Anambra, Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, Niger, Ogun, Oyo, Taraba and Zamfara.
Daily Sun gathered that during the primaries, many aspirants who felt shortchanged complained, even as scores withdrew from the race. Petitions have also trailed the outcome of the exercise.
The aggrieved aspirants have urged the Appeal Committees to look into their complaints and petitions and submit credible reports that would guarantee justice.
In Adamawa State, Yusuf Atiku, aspirant for the Ganye State constituency withdrew, citing irregularities in the delegate congress. He alleged that the process was neither free nor fair and that several party members were unjustly prevented from participating.
In Edo State, aspirant for the Edo Central senatorial seat described the primary as “mere vote allocation,” claiming that his supporters were disenfranchised.
Other News
Similarly, another aspirant for the Ovia North East/Ovia South West federal constituency also withdrew in protest.
In Ogun State, allegations surfaced that only one nomination and expression of interest form was made available to a preferred aspirant for the Ikene/Sagamu/Remo North federal constituency.
In Kaduna State, a parallel congress was reportedly conducted by supporters of a particular aspirant for a House of Assembly seat, raising concerns about internal party division and procedural inconsistencies.
In Anambra State, Dr. Obinna Uzoh, aspirant for the Anambra South senatorial district, submitted a petition, dated July 19, calling on the party to declare him the rightful winner. He argued that he was the only aspirant who fully complied with all the requirements set by the APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigerian Constitution.
Dr. Uzoh further claimed that only his supporters and delegates were valid, up-to-date financial members of the party. He raised serious concerns over an alleged conflict of interest in the composition of the screening, delegate congress and primary election committees led as chairman and secretary by Chief Henry Ikoh and Ms. Adaobi Obioha, respectively, who are allegedly close allies of his opponent, Mr. Azuka Okwuosa.
Uzoh described it as unprecedented in Nigeria’s political history for the same persons to simultaneously serve as chairman and secretary of all three committees—and be related to one of the aspirants.
