Some elders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State, Thursday, paid a courtesy call on the party’s National Chairman, Bamanga Tukur, in Abuja to formally complain about the illegalities and undemocratic practices of the Idris Wada administration.
The elders had written a petition to the party chairman, accusing the state governor, Idris Wada, of corruption, non-performance, and incompetence.
“We want the national leadership of our great party to intervene decisively to save the PDP in Kogi State from an untimely death”, said Alex Kadiri who led the three-man group that also included Mohammed Ohiare and Adinoyi Ojo Onukaba.
“All is not well in Kogi State. Our party has been hijacked by strangers. There is no governance in the state. State funds are being used to settle judges and anti-corruption agencies. Not even a culvert has been constructed by the nearly one year old Wada administration”.
The elders listed the crisis in the State House of Assembly, the appointment of Liaison Officers for local councils, the alleged continued looting of state treasury by the duo of former Governor Ibrahim Idris and Mr. Wada, and the undemocratic conduct of state congress last weekend as some of the issues they are unhappy about.
They accused Mr. Wada of cluelessness, profligacy and looting. They cited the appointment of 20 commissioners, 57 advisers, 74 senior special assistants and scores of other assorted aides as proof that the governor is ill-prepared to govern the state.
The recent discovery of 800 ghost schools and thousands of ghost teachers, the elders added, represents only a tip of the iceberg of the rot that is Kogi State.
Responding, Mr. Tukur promised to look into their complaints and commended the elders for their civilized and mature approach. He said the PDP under his watch will be democratic, inclusive and transparent in all its dealings. He promised to treat the petition adding that the calibre of the petitioners demands nothing less.
The elders had earlier submitted copies of their petition to President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President David Mark, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal of the House of Representatives, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
