The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kogi West Senatorial District says no aspirant would be granted automatic ticket for the 2019 general elections.
This decision was taken on Friday at the residence of General David Jemibewon, a member of the board of trustees of the party at Aiyetoro Gbedde during a meeting of major stakeholders and party executives in Kogi West Senatorial District.
The stakeholders’ meeting generally resolved that a level-playing field be created for all aspirants to slug it out for the party’s ticket in free and fair primaries.
The PDP said the decision was taken in the best interest of the party towards ensuring that it discourages impunity and any action that may likely create disaffection among members.
The party urged those who newly joined the party to be ready to slug it out in a free and fair contest with the older members of the party, assuring that a level-playing field would be created for the primaries.
It advised all its aspirants to be ready to fund their election, warning that no aspirant should expect manna from heaven, reiterating that aspirants should strive for effective funding of their elections.
While the PDP appealed to all its aspirants to be of good conduct, it called on them to work and abide by the party’s rules and regulations.
Stakeholders, at the meeting, also condemned in strong terms the conduct of INEC at the just-concluded Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency election, and described the election as a sham, which fell below minimum standard.
The party expressed worries at the level of violence during the election, as it accused the state government of using political thugs, and security agencies to compromise the integrity of the bye-election.
The PDP called on the federal government to put in place a machinery that would forestall future occurrence, warning that if such measures were not put in place, people would have no choice but to take the law into their hands.
Some of the major stakeholders at the meeting include: Gen. David Jemibewon, BoT Member of the party, Chief Sam Akande, former deputy governor. Sen. Tunde Ogbeha, Hon. Musa Ahmadu, Shola Akanmode, Chief Abiodun Ojo, Shola Ojo, Alh Hassan Salahu, Sam Abenemi, PDP Deputy Chairman. Mrs Margret Orebiyi, Bar. Kola Ojo, All Kogi West Zonal Executives, and all the seven Local government areas party chairmen in the Western district amongst several others.