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Michael David
A serving member of Nasarawa State House of Assembly representing Nassarawa-Eggon East in the state’s Assembly Hon. Kudu Ajegena Jacob, has alleged that primary was not held in his constituency, certain seemless exercise that characterised by irregularities and manipulation in the conduct of the party primaries for State Assembly in the state.
Honourable Kudu Jacob, disclosed this while briefing journalists in his office at the Assembly’s complex in Lafia the state capital.
He said that he was representing Nassarawa-Eggon East Constituency but during the exercise no one election material was brought to show an election was conducted in the constituency.
According to Honourable Kudu Jacob,” On the scheduled date for the primary election, party members, delegates, stakeholders, and supporters gathered peacefully with the hope of participating in a transparent and credible electoral process. However, the election was never conducted.
“Following the confusion and irregularities surrounding the process, I proceeded to the Local Government Secretariat to seek clarification. I was informed that the Returning Officer assigned to supervise and receive election materials was absent.
I was further told that the Local Government Chairman was contacted and that he went away with the election materials meant for the conduct of the primary election.
“When I personally contacted the Local Government Chairman for explanation, he informed me that he was not in town and was in Gudi at the time.
“This development raises serious concerns about accountability, fairness, transparency, and adherence to due process within the conduct of the exercise,” he lamented.
He also noted that democracy thrives only when internal party processes are conducted fairly and all aspirants are given equal opportunity to participate.
Hon. Kudu Jacob, further said that while remaining a committed party member and remain peaceful, law-abiding, he had rejected any attempt to deny him and the people of Eggon East Constituency their democratic right to participate in a free, fair, and credible primary election.
He however added that he has written an appeal to the Appeals Committee for redress.
He called on the Appeal Committee and the leadership of the party to thoroughly investigate irregularities to ensure that justice prevails through the conduct of a transparent and credible primary election in Eggon East Constituency.
