Mixed reactions trail Abia PDP LG primaries

Mixed reactions greeted the Abia State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) local government chairmanship primaries amidst allegations of imposition of candidates by major stakeholders..

This filler is coming on the heels of the outcome of the party’s councillorship and ward delegates’ election held on the 21st of October 2016.

The delegates’ primaries were greeted by allegations of imposition of candidates on the party members by some major stakeholders who have interests in certain aspirants.

The our correspondent who monitored the chairmanship primaries observed that the exercise was conducted using secret ballot system of voting..

In Umuahia North Council Area, venue of the exercise, the electoral team from the party secretariat were yet to arrive as at 1pm even as delegates were seen in groups discussing  the reasons for the delayed arrival of the electoral team.

The delegates who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that the exercise was a mere formality while others insisted that that eternal democracy must prevail if the party is to win in the December 17th local government chairmanship and councillor election.

However, it was gathered that the exercise was cancelled as a result of fracas that erupted when some angry youths forced their way into the venue of the exercise and forcefully took away the list of delegates being used and tore it into shreds.

It was further gathered that the action of the youths may have been triggered off when it was discovered that the  list being used for the exercise was not the one originally given to the contesting aspirants.

In Umuahia South, the exercise recorded a very peaceful conduct amidst tight security by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Civil Defence Corps as well as the state vigilante services.

Speaking to journalists at Umuahia South Local Government Area after casting his vote, former PDP National Chairman, Prince Vincent Eze Ogbulafor, whose son, Mr Obinna Ogbulafor, won the larty’s  chairmanship ticket, debunked allegations of imposition of candidates by major stakeholders within the local government councils saying that the party cannot do such as it does not believe in imposition and impunity.

He advised those who lost out in the primaries to support the winners in various local government areas as well as the state government in building the state.

Former PDP State Chairman, Arc. Benson Ezem, while commending the party for practicing internal democracy, thanked the state, Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, for returning power to the grassroots, adding that the decision will bring about the development of the grassroots.