APC Sets for Primary Today As Aspirants Call for Free and Fair Process

• Appeal committee overturns the screening committee’s decision.
• Aspirants express confidence in free and fair poll.

Ahead of the Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election, aspirants Princess Hadiza Ibrahim and Yakubu Mohammed, are calling for a free and fair process.

The two contenders, who hail from Igala ethnic group, were initially disqualified by the Screening Panel chaired by Senator Hope Uzodinma but were reinstated by the Appeal Committee.

Speaking with the Nation in a telephone interview, Hajia Ibrahim said having been given the nod to contest, “there is no retreat and there is no surrender”.

While frowning at the earlier verdict of the screening committee, Ibrahim said Uzodinma was behaving as Governor Yahaya Bello’s campaign manager.

READ: Nine APC Candidates Cleared for Kogi Governorship Election

“I was disqualified. But, the Appeal Committee disagreed with the screening committee on the grounds for disqualification. I was disqualified along with 12 aspirants because they said I did not contribute financially to the party.

“I disagreed. I asked them: do contributions expire? I gave evidence of my contributions. I showed to them my 2015 screening certificate. I am a product of the University of Lagos. I am a successful businessman. The Appeal Committee agreed,’ she said.

With the hope of a peaceful primary election, she said she will emerge, winner.

“I think there will be a peaceful primary. Security will be provided. The Screening Committee, led by Uzodinma did not do well. He was using the committee to campaign for Bello, out of sympathy.”

In the same vein supporters of Mohammed, veteran journalist and aspirant from Igala said power should shift to Kogi East.

READ: APC NWC Meet Over Kogi Governorship Primary Election, Under Pressure to Reverse Indirect Primary

In a statement, the aspirant said the push for power shift was premised on the need for equity and justice.

“The Chief Judge, Nasir Ajanah is from Kogi Central. The Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Mr. Matthew Kolawole, is from Kogi West. Governor Yahaya Bello is from Kogi Central. The minister from Kogi State, Mrs. Ramatu Tijjani is from Kogi West. There is no one from Kogi East occupying any of those positions.

“As it stands, any party that fields a candidate from Kogi East (Igala land) will be the favourite to win the election because of the numerical strength of the district,” the statement reads.