Five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial aspirants in Abia State said at the weekend they have uncovered plots by some persons they alleged to be agents of the state government to massively rig today’s governorship primary in favour of a contender who they claimed, was being paraded as an adopted candidate.
The aspirants include the immediate past Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, a former deputy governor of the state, Chief Acho Nwakanma, Chief Friday Nwosu, Masters Energy boss, Dr. Uche Sampson Ogah and Sir Mac Wabara, the younger brother of former Senate President, Chief Adolphus Wabara.
In a statement entitled, “Plot to rig Abia guber primary election uncovered” and endorsed by the aspirants, they alleged that part of the game plan was to
accredit delegates at Ibeku High School, while voting will take place at Umuahia Central Stadium which they said was one kilometre apart.
The aggrieved aspirants in rejecting the arrangement, said accreditation and voting should take place in one location in the stadium as stipulated in the Electoral
Act and in line with Mr. President’s Electoral Reforms.
The statement reads in part, “That we have uncovered a hidden agenda whereby delegates and governorship aspirants will be roundly abused and physically assaulted at Ibeku High School by thugs and other miscreants already engaged by some persons who claim to be working as agents of the Government of Abia State.
“That the persons announced on the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia State (BCA) to conduct the accreditation are not members of the Governorship Electoral Panel appointed by the PDP leadership in Abuja and therefore, illegal body of persons.
“That the tenure of office of members of the Abia State Working Committee of PDP having expired, there is no more state party executive, who can assist the
PDP Primary Election Panel from Abuja. “That should there be the need for any persons to assist the PDP Primary Election Panel from Abuja, then, each
of the governorship aspirants should be allowed to nominate persons to assist the said panel.
“That we have also uncovered a plot by some persons in collaboration with a PDP high ranking official from the South-East to clone the PDP Governorship Primary Election ballot papers whereby fake delegates will be made to rob the delegates of their INEC permanent voters cards and PDP party cards in transit from Ibeku High School to the stadium and then vote with already thumb-printed ballot papers and thereby massively rig the election in favour of a particular aspirant now being paraded as adopted candidate by some persons who claim to be agents of Abia State Government.”
While vowing to do everything under the law to ensure that the primary was conducted in accordance with the law and rules of the party, the aspirants, however, called on President Goodluck Jonathan, National Chairman of PDP, Adamu Mu’azu and Gov Theodore Orji to intervene and save Abia State PDP from the hands of who they described as lawless persons.
SOURCE : SUN NEWS
