Hajia Ramatu Attah, a senatorial aspirant for Kogi Central on the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC), says, ”there was no APC primaries in the zone, and no candidate emerged”.
The Spokesperson for the Campaign Organisation of Hajia Ramatau Tasalla Shehu Attah, Mr Yusuf Abdulkadir, disclosed this at a press conference in Lokoja on Tuesday.
According to her, the press conference is imperative in order to set the records straight and make sure that the events of the last few days is truly presented to the world.
”I wish to dissociate myself from the kangaroo Kogi Central senatorial district primary elections held on May 28, 2022 at Kahal Cinema, Okene.
”I want posterity and history to note that there was no room for fair play and equity. We were not given equal opportunities because the election was just a predetermined selection and not an election.
”As aspirants, we were niether at anytime allowed access to the delegates lists nor obliged with copies.
”There was no accreditation of delegates, and when we requested for reason, we were informed that the delegates have been accredited by their respective Local Government Chairmen.
”We were still in shock that Alh. Yahaya Karaku is the Returning officer contrary to APC Guidelines; this is a gross aberration of the rules,” she said.
She noted that all the manipulations that occurred during the purported primaries were done to favour their preferred candidate, Mr Abubakar Ohere, the former Kogi Commissioner for Works.
She stressed that in spite of their persistent insistence that due process should be followed and guidelines complied with, they were ignored and proceeded with the voting.
She added that at this point herself and other aspirant were left with no option than to stage a walkout and left the venue on protest.
”Only for us to read on the social media some fictitious and laughable results with imaginary votes allotted to us.
”All I asked for is a level playing field; let the people choose who they want, to ensure internal democracy,” she said.
She, however advised her teeming supporters to remain calm and law abiding in spite the obvious manipulation.
She ejoined her supporters to join His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello, in his beautiful work of maintaining a peaceful state which he had worked to restore over the years.
”I am very sure that His Excellency would not condone the assault on democracy as exhibited by his political appointees who were present in their full security compliment at the venue characterised by intimidation in broad day light.
”We were aware of the flagrant irregularities of the whole process, neglect to the electoral act and guidelines, non compliance with rules and convinced that with such evidences, the selection cannot stand,” she said.
She expressed concern over the inability of APC leadership to have conducted fresh primaries, adding that her next line of action would be communicated to the media appropriately.
Recalls that Mr Abubakar Ohere, the former Kogi Commissioner for Works, was announced the winner of Kogi Central Senatorial APC primary election after scoring 260 votes.
Ohere defeated two other aspirants, Mr Ramatu Attah and Alh. Dalhatu Sheriff, who polled 13 and 11 votes.