I wish to categorically state that there was no gubernatorial primary election for People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto state.
The election committee could not keep to the scheduled time and programme of events for the election. The accreditation of 984 delegates started 6pm in the evening of the 8th December, 2014. This was followed with substitution of genuine and authentic delegates with new ones with the aim of rigging the election. The whole process was marred by irregularities including the dragging of electoral process to lapse into the night in order to achieve the above mentioned objective.
As the leader of Peoples Democratic Party in the state and an aspirant, the committee refused to carry me along in the process even though I protested to the electoral committee orally and in writing that the best option is to postpone and halt the conduct of the election until proper arrangements are made to allow for a free and fair electoral contest.
Before the 8th of December, 2014 there were series of allegations that the process that will lead to the success of the congress, which includes. The election of party executives and delegates could not be conducted in consonance with the party guidelines. The state PDP was aware of these problems and therefore set up a committee headed by Senator Ila Garba Gada, but up till 8th of December, some people who are hell-bent on imposing one of the aspirants refused to allow the presentation of the Committee’s report for deliberation by the elders committee been chaired by former Governor Attahiru bafarawa.
I therefore wish to call on the National Leadership of our party (PDP) to take note that there was no gubernatorial primary election for Sokoto PDP, disband the electoral committee which by the attitude of its chairman, cannot guarantee a free and fair conduct of the primary election.
My appeal to the Leadership of our great party, the PDP is to formally and immediately set up an unbiased Electoral Committee made up of credible men and women of proven integrity to conduct the Gubernatorial primaries for Sokoto state within the shortest possible time.
I hereby call on all our supporters to remain calm and continue to be law abiding as every effort is been made to ensure that the right thing is done.
Thank you.
Signed:
Barrister Mukhtari Shehu Shagari, CFR
Deputy Governor
Sokoto state
Sokoto state PDP Gubernatorial Aspirant
