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Ahead of the governorship primary election to pick a candidate for the 11th of November election, a number of stakeholders from the three zones in the Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have made a strong case for the cancellation of the party’s delegate congress.
In a communique issued after a meeting in Owerri, signed by Chief Anslem Ikwu (Owerri Zone), Chief Eric Ofordirinwa (Orlu Zone) and Chief Ezenna Okoro (Okigwe Zone), the stakeholders expressed dissatisfaction about the alleged conduct of the election.
They cited issues bordering on violation of the Electoral Act, which they said was an abnormality and a big mistake that would cost PDP of not being on the ballot on November 11, if not addressed.
The statement which was made available to The Eastern Updates said: ‘We bring to the attention of the National Working Committee (NWC), National Executive Committee (NEC), Board of Trustees (BOT) and the public of the shoddy three-man ad-hoc delegates’ election held in Imo State concerning the forthcoming governorship election slated for November 11.
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‘We, the critical stakeholders, wish to bring to the knowledge of Imo State indigenes and the world at large of the brazen and unapologetic manner the will of the people were usurped, the wrong and costly decision taken by the NWC of the party, even when it was communicated to them to painstakingly select a consensus candidate for the party, in order to stop further polarisation of the party in the state.’
It also went on to condemn the committee’s mode of electing the three-man ad-hoc delegate and the one-man national delegate, describing it as brazen contravention of the Electoral Act.
According to the body, ‘the Electoral Act is unequivocal and without ambiguity. Even in situations where consensus or affirmations are obtainable, it must be free, fair and credible. Section 84 (8) stipulates that it must be done democratically.’
The group frowned at the Imo State situation, where it was reported that some party members, after procuring forms to participate in the three-man ad-hoc delegates’ election, were deliberately left out, not knowing when and where the election was held.”
The PDP chieftains asserted their readiness to use available legal means to invoke the Electoral Act and party legal guidelines to prove their points.
They appealed to the top echelon of the party to do the needful by retracing its step, thus cancelling ‘the kangaroo primary election purportedly conducted in Imo State without delay.’
