The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Asunta Ward, Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi state has rejected in its entity what it called “an alleged imposition of Councillorship Candidate” by some leaders of the local government.
Some party executives and leaders made the position known during a peaceful protest at the State Secretariat of the Party in Lokoja.
A leader of APC in Asunta Ward, Barr. Ola Odano alleged that some leaders in the local government are working contrary to what Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo and the state party leadership directed for choice of the councillorship candidates.
According to the legal luminary, a shadow primary election was conducted in line with the Governor’s directive which the Ward Secretary of the Party, Emmanuel Owope polled five votes out of nine, while one Segun Joseph had four votes.
“It was agreed after the primary at the ward level that the man with the highest votes will represent the Ward but to our dismay, another name was submitted to leaders of the Local Government.
“We presented our resolution that Hon. Emmanuel Owope is our Sole Candidate to Hon. Wemi Jones, the Commissioner for Education but he told us that someone had brought a name from our Ward contrary to the directive of the Governor,” he said.
He stated that after several pressure on the identity of who submitted the name, the Commissioner disclosed the Chairmanship Candidate for Kabba-Bunu Local Government election, Zacchaeus Dare, who is not from Asunta Ward.
The party leader explained that they had written a protest letter to the State APC Chairman, Alh. Abdullahi Bello in a bid to press home their demand, saying the Ward will not vote for anyone outside Emmanuel Owope.
Speaking, Hon. Kolade Oshadare, Asunta Ward APC Chairman, described the move by some Kabba-Bunu Leaders to cause disaffection in the Ward as unfortunate.
He maintained that they were at the Party Secretariat to ask some salient questions including the whereabouts of the councillorship form for the ward.
According to him, the choice of Hon. Owope was based on his qualifications, contributions to the success of the party having served as Ward Party Secretary and zoning, which favoured him.
On her part, Agnes Olorunsaiye, the Ward Women Leader accused the Local Government party leaders of collecting bribes, saying they believe that with the intervention of the Governor and State Party Chairman, they will get justice.
