The conduct and results of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives and Senate primaries in Kogi State have been called a major embarrassment by supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the National Assembly.
According to reports, Senator Natasha’s media adviser, Samuel Idoko, said in an interview with reporters in Abuja that the voting process was unruly and badly run.
Idoko emphasized that the post-primary turmoil had revealed the ruling party’s disarray and lack of readiness to continue governing the country.
“The irregularities seen during the APC primaries, from the House of Representatives elections down to the Senate primaries, are a huge embarrassment to a party that claims to be the ruling party,” he declared. Nigerians and Kogites have witnessed a lack of internal democracy, confusion, and manipulation.
Citing ongoing corruption proceedings with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Idoko also called the APC screening committee’s decision to allow former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello to run for the Senate unexpected and unsatisfactory.
“The most shocking aspect is the clearance granted to former Governor Yahaya Bello, who is currently facing serious corruption cases with the EFCC, to contest for Senate,” he said. It seriously undermines the APC’s credibility and demonstrates the party’s disregard for responsibility.
Idoko, who is running on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform for a seat in the Kogi State House of Assembly, claimed that his party’s prospects in the state had improved due to growing discontent within the APC.
He pointed out that the PDP was prepared to run for important seats in the State House of Assembly and the Senate, and that it was gathering support at the local level in Kogi East and Kogi Central.
“The PDP benefits from all these developments,” he continued. The populace is eager for change and is worn out. The PDP is well-positioned to win elections in Kogi East and Kogi Central, including seats in the State House of Assembly and the Senate.
Idoko emphasized that the PDP was dedicated to saving the state from poor leadership and political injustice, and he asked party members and citizens to stick together before the elections.
