Edo Guber: Court nulifies PDP Primary poll

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja has declared as invalid the People’s Democratic Party’s Primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as a governorship candidate. The primary election conducted on February 22, 2024 was voided on the ground that 378 delegates who were supposed to vote at the primary election were unlawfully excluded by PDP. The court invalidated the primary election on Thursday while delivering judgment in a suit instituted by the aggrieved delegates. The suit marked THC/ABJ/CS/165/2024 was instituted by one Hon Kelvin Mohammed in a representative capacity. Justice Ekwo held that both the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and PDP Guidelines were grossly violated in the conduct of the primary election at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin. Details later.

Kogi Governor to chair committee for Ondo APC primary poll

Usman Ododo, governor of Kogi state, has been appointed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to lead a seven-member committee that will conduct the party’s governorship primary election in Ondo state. The Ondo APC primary poll has been slated for April 20. The committee is expected to conduct direct primary elections in the 18 LGAs of the state. The five-man primary election appeal committee will be headed by Mohammed Abubakar, former governor of Bauchi. Abubakar’s committee will be inaugurated by Suleiman Argungu, APC national organising secretary; with Ovie Omo-Agege, former deputy senate president, serving as the secretary of the primary election committee. Obiocha Israel will serve as secretary to the five-man election appeal committee, with Jamilu Gwamna, Patrick Obahiagbon and Onyeka Okafor as members.

Edo APC youths take over party secretariat over Guber primary

Enraged young individuals and women have seized control of the All Progressives Congress secretariat in Benin, Edo State.  They are demanding the removal of the state executives, led by acting Chairman Jarret Tenebe, due to alleged irregularities in Saturday’s governorship primary election, which resulted in three declared winners.  The protestors, led by Tony Adun (Kabaka), forcibly entered the offices, taking out furniture, rice bags, and other items.  They declare their intent to occupy the premises for seven days, expressing dissatisfaction with the officials’ conduct during the primary and insisting on the dissolution of the executive committee. Adun emphasized their support for Dennis Idahosa and urged party members to back his candidacy in the upcoming governorship election. Adun said, “It is clear that the party exco in the state are no longer working on the interest of the party so it is time for them to leave. “We are here in solidarity with Dennis Idahosa who the party has nominated. We call on party members to back Idahosa’s candidacy in the governorship election in September. “As you can see, we are here in large numbers, youths and women, to show our displeasure over the way the exco handled the election.”

Bye-Election: Governor Alia Suspends Party’s Primary In Benue

Controversy has surrounded the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Benue State. Governor Hyacinth Alia suspended the event, which was meant to select a candidate for the February 4 by-election for the State House of Assembly. The need for the by-election arose after Dr. Yamar Ortese, representing the Guma 1 state constituency, was appointed as Commissioner for Health and Human Services. During a press conference in Makurdi on Saturday, Governor Alia claimed the primary was disrupted by threats and hijacked by individuals who were not from the Guma Local Government Area and should not have participated in the election. The APC’s state spokesperson, Morgan Ihomun, countered that the governor cannot suspend a process that the party already conducted in an orderly manner. Governor Alia, accompanied by state security chiefs, also mentioned that the primary was planned for Saturday but was overshadowed by threats from irate youths. The governor said, “Security of state remains paramount to us. Today (Saturday), the APC is to conduct primary but it was marred by misconduct and this posed insecurity in Guma. It became imperative to calm the irate youth. “Party stakeholders felt disenchanted. I would not want any semblance of insecurity in the state. I suspend the delegate primary. Sad enough the party faithful came out but were stopped at the gate by people who do not belong to the local government; all stakeholders were locked out and youths became angry. Party faithful must help keep the peace in the state. “I do not want any bloodshed as people get sensational and sentimental about politics. I have asked the security operatives to ensure that there is no break down of law and order. I know that the national working committee of our party will do all to ensure that the right thing is done.” Meanwhile, Morgan insisted that the primary election had been held and a candidate emerged to fly the party ticket during the forthcoming by-election. He said, “The question we should be asking is that, does the governor have the power to suspend the primary election?”