The Coalition of Aspirants and Delegates has faulted the conduct of last Saturday’s ward congresses of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State.
The coalition made this known through Barr. Soalabo West alleging that, “there were no elections in the various wards across Rivers State, even though attempts were later made in some secret locations to stage manage what was a GDI ward congresses.” He said that his members were also attacked at the various LGAs.
According to the members of the coalition, a 5 man panel that supposed to conduct the ward congresses, “to the best of our knowledge did not come for the exercise as they did not show up in the state party secretariat”. They however, indicted the panel by alleging that the team went to residence of the former Supervisory Minister for Education, Chief Barr. E.N. Wike, “where they were lavishly entertained and wrote the results and concocted reports on Friday night”.
The Coalition of Aspirants and Delegates pointed out that the members of the electoral panel are associates of Chief Wike, adding that such a panel cannot ensure fair play in the conduct of the ward congresses.
Barr. West had earlier maintained that, the party does not have properly constituted executive committee in all the wards and LGAs in the state, noting that “the PDP in Rivers State has not under taken any registration of new party members and did not revalidate old members as required after the exit of Rotimi Amaechi and his followers to APC. In addition the party did not display party registers at the various wards prior to the conduct of the ward congresses as stipulated by the PDP constitution and guidelines”.
Barr. West also alleged that no fewer than 2100 members who have collected delegates’ form were disenfranchised, which he described as “brazen violation of a fundamental provision and directive of the National Headquarters of the party”.
His words, “For the avoidance of doubt, these delegates are resolved to defend their mandate by any means including litigation if the party leadership does not immediately address this fraud.” ###
