…demand cancellation of PDP Local govt primaries

…Party promises to address grievances

AHEAD of the Local Government chairmanship elections on March 28, 2020, in Cross River State, a political group under the auspices of Yala Political Development Forum, YPDF, Wednesday, stormed the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to protest alleged imposition of PDP chairmanship candidate in Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The group led by its President, Ogar Joseph Odey, and Secretary, Comr. Simon Okwori, in a letter addressed to the National Working committee of the PDP, alleged that impunity was “being exhibited by the Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade, in the selection and imposition of unpopular candidates” against the peoples’ choice.

According to the group the level of impunity may led to the lost the PDP had during the rerun election in Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency and that of Bayelsa State Governorship election in 2019.

The  letter titled,  ‘Imposition of Candidate : A Call For Justice and Level Playing Field For All Aspirants’ reads in part, “We write to express our dissatisfaction and grievances over the imposition of candidates in the forthcoming chairmanship election in Yala local government areas in particular and cross river state in general.

“We are very much aware that PDP as a party under your leadership is known for equity, transparency, justice and open door policy governance.

“It therefore beats our imaginations to witness the level of impunity being exhibited by the Governor of cross River State,Prof. Ben Ayade in the selection and imposition of unpopular candidates in almost all the local government areas which has generated a lot of protest across the state.

“It is very surprising that governor Ben Ayade single handedly picked and imposed some of  his cronies and stooges across the state against the democratic tenets of our great party.

Meanwhile, the group also alleged that there was no party primary election conducted in the State.

“According to the party's constitution, it promotes a congress where a candidate would emerge in a free and fair election, unfortunately, no congress took place, but Gov. Ben Ayade without recourse to the people sat down and selected his cronies undemocratically which was confirmed and reaffirmed by his returning officers.

“Sir, there is need for justice and a  level playing ground for all the aspirants as witnessed in PDP primaries in the past.

“We hereby call on the leadership of our great party to adopt transparent primaries in the state so as to guarantee fair play and ensure the emergence of credible candidate for the party. Anything short of this is a direct invitation of anarchy, which poses huge threat to our great party and democracy”, it stated.

The group feasibly aggrieved and angry made some demands to assuage tension in affected local government areas of the State over alleged imposition of chairmanship candidates.

“The there should be a cancellation of that sham call primary election; That proper primary be conducted; That all aspirants be given equal opportunity to contest, whoever emerges shall have our full support; That party should uphold the existing zoning arrangement in the state;  and that all stakeholders be carried along”, it added.

The National Vice Chairman, North Central, Peoples Democratic Peoples Party (PDP), Hon Theophilus Daka Shau, received the letter from the leader of the group, and promised to look into their complaint and demands, and said the party remains a law abide organization that will give all members and supporters a sense of belonging.

Shau also called on group and Yala local government to remain peaceful and law abiding as the National leadership of the party will address issues they have raised.