Politics
How PDP senatorial primary election was disrupted in Abia by lawmaker
Member representing Arochikwu/ Ohafia Federal Constituency, in the House of Representatives, Hon. Uko Ndukwe Nkole given insight into the strange circumstances that led to the disruption of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senatorial primary election in Abia state.
In a statement he personaly signed and made available to Newsmen, the lawmaker had alleged conspiracy between Mr. Godwin Ndom, a serving Commissioner in the state and Senator Moa Ohunwabuwa campaign organization
Ohunwabuwa represents Abia North in the Senate.
According to Hon. Uko, the appointment of of Ndom, a well known protege’ of senator Mao, as the returning officer for the schedule exercise, signaled that the election was ill fated
He said despite his protest, it was discovered that two parallel lists were used for the primary.
“My agents drew my attention to the fact that Mr. Godwin Ndom had been appointed the Returning Officer for the election by the State Party Leadership. Mr. Ndom, as a matter of fact is a serving Commissioner in the Abia State Government and hails from Bende LGA, same Abia North Senatorial District and a known Coordinator for Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa’s campaign.”
“This was brought to the attention of the State Chairman of the Party, Rt. Hon. Allwell Asiforo Okere who agreed to change the returning officer. To confirm my initial fear at the venue of the election a different delegates list was presented
“At the Ohafia LGA Secretariat venue of the Primary, I was about to settle down when I was informed that the list being used to accredit delegates at the gate had names different from what was sent to the party national secretariat in Abuja and strangers were being accredited. I moved in to enforce the usage of the actual delegate list”
The lawmaker explained further that “After a successful accreditation, voting commenced from Umunneochi LGA. After the Umunneochi Delegates had cast their votes, Godwin Ndom, who still came with the team from the Party Office, directed that counting of ballots should follow each LGA vote as against the known procedure of counting at the end of balloting while four LGAS of Ohafia, Isiukwuato, Bende and Arochukwu were yet to cast their votes”
Hon. Uko noted that was using statement is to draw the attention of the Party to the illegality.
“I have drawn the attention to these obvious violations to both the party guidelines and extant laws governing elections in Nigeria” he noted .
The press statement is coming on the heels of complaints to the National Secretariat of the PDP in Abuja, calling for outright cancellation of the primary.
Hon. Uko, further alleged that he was physically attacked by Senator Mao and one Ikechi Anya
“At this point my opponent Mao Ohuabunwa rose and physically confronted me by grabbing my shirt. He was assisted by Ikechi Patrick Anya. Seeing me being attacked, one of the Delegates present from my Constituency intervened on my behalf and demanded I be respected as a serving Member of the House of Representatives.
“Mao Ohuabunwa used his walking stick to smash the head of the Delegate while his thugs helped to tear the young man’s clothes and molested him.
“At this point, Mao Ohuabunwa, in connivance with Ndom and his miscreants, personally grabbed the ballot box (bucket), available ballot papers and result sheets and ran out of the election venue after disrupting the entire process”
While calling out the National Secretariat of the party and other stakeholder, Uko said
“I place it on record unequivocally that the Abia North Senatorial Zone Primary elections of the PDP, held on Tuesday, May 24, 2022 was inconclusive as the election materials were hijacked by Mao Ohuabunwa and Mr Ndom.”
He called on the party to conduct fresh primaries in the zone
“I call on our great party to do the needful and reschedule the Primaries to the earliest possible date so we can conclude the process.”
“I would like to thank my supporters for maintaining peace at the face of the unwarranted provocations and assault and above all, delegates to the Abia North PDP Senatorial Primaries for showing uncommon determination and resoluteness to vote for me in the Primaries.”
“This clarification has become necessary in view of the fact that the sponsor and beneficiary of this affront on our electoral processes, planned and premeditated this action knowing fully well that he is unpopular and to orchestrate chaos he hopes to benefit from.” He concluded .
The Labour Party has dismissed allegations of a partnership with President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.
The accusations were made by lawyer Deji Adeyanju, who claimed that the party’s leadership, including its National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, is collaborating with the ruling party.
In a statement issued by the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party described Adeyanju’s remarks as defamatory, baseless, and harmful to its reputation.
The party affirmed its commitment to its role as the leading opposition, citing its continuous critique of government policies and its push for reforms in Nigeria’s political system.
“The Labour Party has remained visible and vocal in interrogating system failures and proposing solutions. Our National Chairman, Barrister Abure, has been at the forefront of this effort,” the statement read.
The Labour Party highlighted key initiatives, including the formation of an Electoral Reform Committee to advocate for transparent elections and the introduction of e-membership registration to promote participatory democracy.
The party called on Adeyanju to provide evidence to substantiate his claims or withdraw his statement and issue a public apology.
It also warned against actions that could harm the party’s reputation and undermine its efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.
Senate minority Leader and key member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus, Senator Abba Moro, has reiterated the party’s commitment to restructuring and regaining its electoral strength.
Speaking after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Assembly caucus meeting on Wednesday, Moro addressed concerns about the party’s recent setbacks and ongoing efforts to prepare for future electoral challenges.
Moro emphasized that the PDP remains resilient despite recent losses, including gubernatorial elections, and is strategizing to strengthen the party.
“We discussed the affairs of the party, particularly as we approach a critical meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC)to take vital decisions on the state of the PDP,” Moro said.
“We are intensifying efforts to ensure the party grows stronger and prepares for subsequent elections without distractions.”
Addressing allegations of vote buying in recent elections, Moro expressed concern over the state of Nigeria’s democracy and the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Everyone is worried about Nigeria’s democracy,” he said. “INEC has faced criticism, but every failure is a lesson. We must ensure that mandates stolen from the people, like in Edo State, are restored. Failure should become a mechanism for future success.”
Responding to criticisms of PDP’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagun, Moro dismissed claims that his leadership has been detrimental to the party.
“The PDP is not just about one individual,” he stated. “Damagun is the acting chairman, but PDP is about all its members. We are working round the clock to return the PDP to its winning ways.”
He also downplayed the influence of PDP members like FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who has been associated with the APC.
Moro likened such political dynamics to bipartisan endorsements seen in the United States, emphasizing that PDP remains focused on rebuilding.
“Anyone working against the PDP today will have to contend with the resilience of PDP members,” he warned.
Highlighting the party’s long-standing reputation, Moro described the PDP as a resilient brand that has always bounced back from challenges.
“PDP is a brand,” he declared. “Despite temporary setbacks, we will bounce back. Once our electoral laws are strengthened, future election results will not be the same.”
When asked who should be blamed for the party’s challenges, Moro refrained from finger-pointing, stating:
“The most important thing is that something is not right. We are working to fix it, and we will get it right.”
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from the PDP Senate caucus to revitalize the party and ensure better outcomes in upcoming elections.
***Describes Process as “Victimless Crime” in Scathing Critique
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has issued a critical assessment of the recent Ondo State Governorship Election, labeling it an “Ondo Auction.”
Adebayo argued that the election was less about genuine democracy and more about transactional politics, with “willing buyers” and “willing sellers” dominating the process.
Taking to his X account, Adebayo suggested that the Ondo election could serve as a case study for the Central Bank’s foreign exchange practices, given the efficient “marketplace” nature of the vote.
He lamented what he saw as a lack of authentic voter engagement, claiming that ballots appeared to be traded as commodities rather than cast with genuine intent.
Adebayo extended his criticism to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the police, and major media outlets, whom he accused of watching passively as the alleged auction unfolded.
Offering sarcastic congratulations to those who “purchased” the victory, he sympathized with voters, whom he felt had unknowingly relinquished their democratic power in a flawed process.
Quoting a biblical phrase, “Father Forgive Them For They Know Not What They Do,” Adebayo expressed sadness over the state of democracy in Ondo and called for divine intervention to steer Nigeria towards a more transparent electoral future.
In his post, Adebayo remarked: “The Ondo State Governorship Election of yesterday is what criminologists would term as victim-less crimes: a spectacle of willing buyers @OfficialAPCNg meeting willing sellers in a perfect market that should be an example for @cenbank in the foreign exchange markets. Ondo Auction is smoother than the Dutch Auction. Four years sold so freely and openly that no one should lie that they were coerced or intimidated or browbeaten. And @PoliceNG and @inecnigeria @AIT_Online @ARISEtv @KAFTAN_TV @channelstv @NTANewsNow all witnessed it live.
“No one should pretend that they need someone to interview over this. It is in order to congratulate the buyers on their purchased ‘victory’ while shedding some tears for the sellers with the Calvary elegy that ‘Father Forgive Them For They Knoweth Not What They Do.’ God Bless Nigeria and may God Guide Ondo State.”
Adebayo’s post has since sparked conversation across the country, with calls for reform and a stronger commitment to electoral integrity in Nigeria.
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