The Nation Newspaper

Tag: primaries

  • Crisis trails PDP primaries

    There  is trouble in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the chairmanship primaries in Onitsha, Anambra State.

    The local PDP chairman , Goddy Ejeamike, said there was no winner as the primaries were inconclusive.

    “This is preempting the result because the party has not officially announced any result.”

    A delegate, Anthony Ekpundu, said: “If there was an election and the party decided to announce a candidate as its flag bearer based on electoral law, it is a different thing.

    “But in this case there was no winner because after accreditation, crisis erupted and many people were injured. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff took cover at the police station.

    “It has caused confusion here because this is just like the governorship primaries. The 30 delegates have signed before things changed. We were disappointed.”

     

  • Oshiomhole: ACN aspirants to face primaries

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday said all local government aspirants under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) would participate in the party’s primaries.

    There have been speculations that the governor and some party leaders have selected some aspirants.

    Oshiomhole, who denied the allegation, said the ACN primaries would be conducted in line with the party’s constitution.

    The governor, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media, Kassim Afegbua, said he believes in the one-man-one-vote mantra.

    Afegbua said: “It is not the business of the governor to conduct primaries. It is the decision of the party and the executive.

    “The governor is the state party leader but the ACN that I know does not behave like a typical Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “If the governor benefitted from the party’s primary even when he was a sole aspirant, why do you think he will want to stop a process that will bring more candidates?

    “Oshiomhole has always insisted that due process mustbe followed. He is very passionate about democratic processes leading to choice of candidates.

    “In a multi-party democracy, if you anoint candidates, chances are that the candidate will lose the election. It is better you allow candidates to emerge from primaries. We are going to ensure that all candidates go through primaries.

    “Oshiomhole is a beneficiary of free and fair election.

    “This election will be free and fair. He has given an order to the State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) to ensure that things are done properly.

    “He has said there should a difference from the past. People are going to see candidates campaigning in the streets.”

    Reacting to calls by the PDP for boycott of the election, Afegbua said the PDP should field candidates to test its strength at the grassroots.

  • Ex-aide defeats Pam in PDP primaries

    Ex-aide defeats Pam in PDP primaries

    The former Chief of Staff to Governor Jonah Jang, Gyang Pwajok, has been elected as the standard-bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the by-election to fill the vacant seat in the Plateau North Senatorial District.

    Mrs. Keneng Gyang Fulani won the party’s ticket to be its standard bearer in the House of Assembly by-election to represent Barkin Ladi Constituency.

    In a primary election held at the Treasure Inn Hotel, Jos yesterday, Pwajok polled 302, while the former Deputy Senate President, Senator John Wash Pam, polled two votes.

    With the emergence of the PDP candidate, seven political parties will present candidates for the by-election scheduled for October 6 in Jos.

    The by-election is being organised because of the deaths of the former senator representing Plateau North Senatorial District in the Senate, Senator Gyang Dantong and the former Majority Leader in the House of Assembly, Gyang Fulani.

    Wife of the late Fulani, Mrs. Keneng Gyang Fulani, also won the party’s ticket in the congress held at Gwol Motel, Barkin Ladi on Tuesday.

    Announcing the result at the end of the election, the returning officer, Paul Adebisi, said: “Two aspirants contested the primary election. After voting by the 305 delegates of the party from Plateau North Senatorial District, Pwajok polled 302 votes and Senator Pam polled two votes.

    “By the power conferred on me as the returning officer, I hereby declare Pwajok who polled the highest votes the winner of the PDP primaries. He will be the party’s candidate in the by-election into the Plateau North Senatorial Zone.”

    The election was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Pwajok said: “I dedicate this victory to the party delegates. I urge them to work hard and ensure victory in the by-election on October 6.”

    The PDP candidate said he would create a fund to rehabilitate victims of the crises in the zone if elected.