The battle by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State to wrestle power from the All Progressives Congress in Lokoja Local Government come 2019 has suffered another setback following fresh crisis that is brewing in the party.
DAILY POST gathered on Monday that, barely few weeks that the Party successfully conducted its wards and local government party congresses in Lokoja local government , the battle for the soul of the party is causing a serious crisis within the ranks of its leaders over zoning of Lokoja 1 Assembly seat.
Sources said that the bone of contention is the zoning of the Lokoja 1 State Assembly position which is yet to be ceded to any of the five wards that makes up the constituency.
It was learnt that some leaders within the party have penciled down an ex-Commissioner and a former Executive Chairman of Lokoja local government council which did not go down well with others party Stawarts eyeing the same seat.
Earlier, a group known as Concerned People’s Democratic Party for Justice and Fairness, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Hon. Muhammad Shuiabu and Secretary, Alhaji Adamu Ahmad, described the activities of some leaders as “disruptive, reckless, and anti-people.
“It is annoying to note the deliberate, undemocratic attempt to take the party back to the era of impunity and imposition by some leaders who believe is that it is only when their stooges are in position that PDP would succeed.”
The forum described the efforts to impose a candidate who served as council chairman and commissioner as an effort to sabotage the present peace been witnessed in the party.
“These leaders are bent on destroying the unity and cohesion currently enjoyed in the party.
“To impose the former commissioner, against the wishes of the party faithfuls, is condemnable, undemocratic and unfair. It is virtually unacceptable.”
When contacted, the Kogi State Publicity Secretary, People Democratic Party (PDP) Bode Ogunmola told DAILY POST that the alleged crisis in the party is not true, adding that the party will not impose any candidate in the forthcoming general election.
” I don’t know where you got your information but I can tell you authoritatively that PDP in Lokoja 1 is not in any form of fresh crisis. We have learnt our mistakes in the past and we won’t impose any candidate on our people.
“Nobody is talking about zoning now as far as Lokoja I or II PDP is concerned. No right thinking politician will be thinking of such when the Kogi State House of Assembly election is about two years from now.
“Having this notion that we have selected somebody to represent PDP is a big lie from the pit of hell. PDP no longer believe in imposition of candidates or impunity.
“Am assuring the public that we are going to conduct a transparent election for PDP to get a true representative that will redeem our party glory come 2019.
“Nobody is under pressure, and we are committed in following due process to elect our candidate. The era of imposition of candidates and impunity is over in the PDP.”
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