Governorship aspirant demands cancellation of PDP ward congress in Kaduna

From Mohammad Ibrahim and Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Former Aviation Minister, Felix Hassan Hyat has demanded for the cancellation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ward congresses held on Saturday across the 23 local government areas of Kaduna State.

Hyat who recently picked PDP nomination form to contest the governorship election in the state, accused the state Governor of hijacking the exercise stating, ” All names of delegates were prepared by the government with all governor’s loyalists taking over the list”.

Addressing journalists on why fresh congress must hold in the state, the aggrieved former Minister described the entire ward congress held, particularly in his Zone 3 Senatorial District as fraudulent and undemocratic.

According to him, if there is no proper election and consensus to elect delegates for future elections in the party, then the party’s internal democracy is dead.

“I can authoritatively inform you that there was neither a consensus nor election where members agreed that these are the delegates that would represent them.

And if that is the case, I don’t think those of us who are pioneer members of PDP would allow this reckless attempt to scuttle the party’s internal democracy ahead of the 2015 elections” Hyat said.

While accusing the state government and the state party chairman of overt plans to rig the governorship in favour of the incumbent governor, Hyat insisted the party must organize a fresh congress in Kaduna.

Similarly , a southern Kaduna based coalition of youth groups and Non-Government Organizations has called on PDP leadership to cancel the recently held ward congresses of the party in the state since there were no level playing field for people to choose their delegates.

The group which made this call in a press statement signed by its National Secretary, Sunday Kasai , threatened that failure to cancel the congress and organize fresh one will lead to protest .

It maintained, “If PDP refuses to organize fresh congress then it will face pressure and protest from the aggrieved members of the party and other interested parties.”

Meanwhile, Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero has commended members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) across the state for the peaceful and orderly conduct of ward congresses to elect delegates for the upcoming primary elections.

Speaking after taking part in the ward congress at his Kaura Ward in Zaria Local Government Area, the Governor said the peaceful conduct of the exercise is an indication of the unity and internal cohesion within the party.

He said “reports from across the state indicated that members of the party have once again demonstrated the fact that our great party remains a big united family. The ward congresses are foundation to successful elections and since we have got it right at this level, our party is clearly heading towards another resounding victory at the polls by the Grace of God.”

Governor Yero expressed appreciation to all members of the party for the peaceful and orderly conduct of the congresses while urging them to continue to work hard for the success of the party and to ensure its victory in all the coming elections.