The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries in Epe division of Lagos State may have been stalled due to the absence of returning officers.
As of the time of filing this report at 12.45 p.m. on Sunday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other stakeholders, including aspirants, were anxiously waiting for the officials.
Security officials were also around at Salako Hall in Epe constituency I and ODA in Eredo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Epe constituency II, venues of the primaries.
140 aspirants are vying for the PDP tickets for the 40 seats in the Lagos State House of Assembly, while 85 are contesting for the 24 seats in the House of Representatives.
Also on the ground for the exercise were the two aspirants contesting for Lagos House of Assembly, Epe Constituency 1, Mr Alebiosu Adewole, and Mr Kenshiro Abiodun.
While Mr Okoya Bolaji-Stephen, Mr Wasiu Akingbade-Adesada, and Mr Ayinde Abubakre were the three aspirants contesting for the Epe Constituency II in the Lagos House of Assembly.
Mr Noheem Balogun and Mr Abu Niyas were the two contestants vying for Epe Federal House of Representatives ticket.
Also at the venues were, at least, 20 PDP delegates who had been cleared to vote at the primaries.
Lagos assembly aspirants confident despite delay
Meanwhile, some aspirants of the PDP for Lagos State House of Assembly expressed confidence in the party’s primaries, despite delay in the arrival of national officers to the venue.
The aspirants, Mr Lawal Akinsemoyin and Mr Bolaji Faniyan, who were both contesting for the PDP’s ticket to represent Lagos Island constituency II at the Lagos state house of assembly, spoke to NAN.
They said the lateness of the national officers charged with conducting the primaries would not in any way, dampen the enthusiasm of the stakeholders and the outcome of the exercise.
Akinsemoyin said he expected the process to go smoothly despite the lateness of the national officers.
He said he was confident in his ability to emerge winner of the primaries, adding that he had put a lot of work in place.
On his part, Faniyan said the delay in the commencement of voting was due to logistics issues on the part of the party.
He noted that all delegates and officials on ground were excited about the primaries, adding that he hoped that the best man would emerge the winner.
“Irrespective of the outcome of the primaries, we are all one family,” Faniyan said.
27 adhoc delegates from nine wards were seated at the venue of the primaries, Archbishop Soremekun Memorial Hall, Broad Street, awaiting the arrival of electoral officers, as at 12.45 p.m. when this report was filed.
140 aspirants are contesting for the PDP tickets for the 40 seats in the Lagos State house of assembly and 85 for the 24 House of Representatives seats.
Conflicting venues delay PDP primaries in Badagry
On the other hand, conflicting venues for the PDP Lagos State House of Assembly and Representatives primaries in Badagry Constituency 1 has delayed take off of the election.
NAN correspondent who monitored the primaries in Badagry Constituency 1, observed that three venues were selected by the party for the election.
Kappo Hotel, Sango Iledundun, Badagry was the official venue of the election.
However, many delegates of the party had gathered at the hotel before some their leaders informed them that the party had selected another venue for the election, which was Soketa Hotel, Sowhe.
A few PDP members gathered within the Hotel, waiting for the INEC officials, party officials and election materials.
Some party members gathered at the PDP secretariat in Awaawa quarters, Badagry, as uncertainty trailed the primaries.
However, Mrs Abidemi Akojenu, the Chairman, PDP, Badagry, said the party stakeholders were meeting in Lagos on the venue of the primaries.
“At present, the primaries are on hold, we are waiting for instructions from our leaders in the state to know whether the elections will take place or not,” he said.
As at 1:00 pm, there was no presence of INEC officials to conduct the primaries in the area.
The Police, Nigeria Army from the 243 Recce-Batallion Barracks, Ibereko and 15 Engineering corps, Topo, Badagry and the DSS were seen parading the three venues.
Similarly, the situation in Ikorodu was the same as delegates for the primaries were seen gathered in groups discussing, while others were moving around apparently expecting directives from the party officials.
As at 1:20 p.m, there was no clear directive for the party delegates.
Mr Olamide Lawal, one of the PDP aspirants for Lagos State House of Assembly, commended delegates for their commitment and encouraged them to select the best candidate that would deliver dividends of democracy to their constituents.
Olamide said the delay was due to the fact that the delegates has not received any information from party executives to commence voting, adding that the party was superior in taking decisions.
Olamide expressed gratitude to members for their commitment in ensuring a seamless and peaceful primaries to elect the party flagbearers.
“I am sure of victory,” he said.
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Staff arrived at the venue at about 9:03 am while Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agents were at the entrance conducting screening before allowing delegates into the venue.
House of Assembly primaries delayed in Plateau
PDP has explained why the House Assembly primaries in the state did not begin by 1 p.m. as scheduled.
PDP Organising Secretary in Plateau Gwott Chocho told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos that the delay was caused by uncertainties that surrounded the primary elections and it has to be postponed again.
“You will recall that there were issues concerning the primaries but they were only resolved last night.
“Members of the electoral committee are coming from different locations; ome of them are already here and we have to wait for others to come.
“As soon as all of them are here, they will disburse the materials to various places where the primary elections will take place,” he said.
He called on all those concerned to exercise a little patience as the exercise would soon begin.
The party has postponed thrice the House of Assembly primaries in Plateau.
Chieftain decries delay
Alhaji Isaika Shodiya, Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alimosho Local Government Area (LGA), has decried delays in the party’s primaries for the State House of Assembly and Federal House of Representatives elections.
Shodiya said that ”a mix up on the issue of venue” led to the delay in the election process in Alimosho Constituency One and Two.
According to him, the venue allocated and communicated to party officials is different from what was given to the returning officers.
He said that they were waiting for directive from the state on either to relocate the venue of constituency one to Iyana Ipaja or not.
”That is why I am convening an Executive Council meeting now so that we can resolve this matter,” he said.
Party members, delegates, agents and security personnel were on ground as early as 10.00 a.m. at the Alimosho party Secretariat at 183 Akowonjo Road, Sobo Bus stop.
The Constituency 01 party faithful clustered in various groups around the PDP Secretariat and both sides of the Akowonjo Road waiting for the returning officers.
The party chairman, who made a brief stop at the venue earlier in the morning returned at 12:05 p.m. and after addressing the NAN correspondents went into a closed meeting with the executive members of the party.
He had told NAN that the meeting was aimed at resolving issues.
Rising from the meeting at 12:56 p.m. he said that the entire delegates were moving to the new venue.
”The update is that we want to move from this place to 233 Abeokuta Expressway, the new venue. The Department of State Services are already on ground at the new venue,” he said.
Absence of electoral materials threaten primaries
The PDP primaries for State House of Assembly and Federal House of Representatives across Lagos State has been trailed by delays.
Check across various venues in Lagos state such as Surulere Constituency I and II, Eti-Osa Constituency 1, Oshodi-Isolo Constituency 1, Agege, and Alimosho Constituency II among others, revealed that electoral officials were yet to arrive the venues for the primaries as at 1 pm of filing this report.
At 1: 27 pm at Surulere Constituency I and II, party members, delegates, and security personnel who were on ground as early as 9.a.m at No 21, Agbonyin Avenue, Surulere, venue of the PDP primaries were still waiting.
No party official or committee member from the PDP national headquarters in charge of the primaries could be seen at the venue of in Surulere Constituency I, while few party members were seen around.
The situation around the area was calm, as party members gathered in cluster groups deliberating and strategising.
Mr Sesan Lawrence, Assistant Secretary, PDP in Surulere Local Government Area, told NAN that all was set for the smooth conduct of the primaries, adding that, however, late arrival of the returning officers was responsible for the delay.
Lawrence said that five candidates were contesting for both categories (House of Assembly and House of Representatives), adding that 19 delegates would be voting to elect the candidate that would contest on the party platform in the the 2023 general elections.
He said that five party agents would represent each candidate to ensure transparency.
“There are six wards at the LGA level for Surulere constituency II and we have three delegates each per ward and one national delegate. We have 19 delegates all together,” Lawrence said.
Mr Peters Ibrahim, a PDP national delegate, also told NAN that all was set for the conduct of the primaries.
Ibrahim said that the election would start as soon as the returning officials arrived.
“Everything is set from the party, all we are waiting for is the electoral officials to conduct the primaries.
“As you can see, the hall is set, we have arranged the chairs and ballot boxes.
“We will start accreditation as soon as the electoral officials arrive,” he said.
Mr Babatunde Omokoba, Chairman, PDP Orile ward, Surulere LGA, told NAN that preparations were in top gear.
He said that party officials were already on ground but were expected at the venue to ensure orderliness and peaceful conduct of the election.
At the Lagos Island Constituency II, nothing was happening but an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official arrived at exactly 11:30 a.m.
The PDP Chairman in the area, Alhaji Shehu Olawepo said they expected all the delegates to be available soon, and security officials could be seen patrolling the venue.
One of the aspirants, Lawal Akinsemoyin was present at the venue.
In Surulere Constituency II, nothing was also happening as at 11:50 a.m., the ward delegates, national delegates and security officials were present waiting for the returning officers.
In Eti-Osa Constituency 1, as at 11.35 a.m. the election was yet to commence, however, the delegates and the six candidates contesting for the state house of assembly were present.
There was also a heavy security presence.
According to the Chairman of the constituency, Yusuf Olatunji, they are awaiting the party electoral officers and the INEC officers before the election can commence.
In Oshodi-Isolo Constituency 1 at St Dominics Hall, Mafoluku, nothing was happening as at 11.43 a.m., and presently the hall was still being used for church service.
The primary was meant to start at 12 noon.
At Agege, Mr Olayiwola Otun, the PDP Chairman in Agege Local Government, said that the delegates and party members were waiting for the arrival of the state executives and the returning officers.
Security personnel and party members were on ground at Agege Constituency 1.
At Alimosho Constituency II, nothing is happening at the venue as at 11.51am.
The General Secretary of the party, Mr Oriyomi Ezekiel, said they were awaiting the arrival of the returning officers for the state.
Meanwhile the initial venue designated for the primaries – Sugarland Hotel at Iliasu road, was changed to Samkoll Garden along Ikotun road.
At all the venues statewide, there was significant presence of security officers.
Uncertainty trails primaries
All may not be well with the Lagos PDP House of Assembly and House of Representatives Primary Elections slated for Sunday as nothing seemed to be happening in all the venues for both primaries.
Some party leaders and governorship aspirants of the party are currently assembling at Ikeja for an emergency meeting over allegations of some people trying to hijack the process.
There seems to be tension and apprehension over the non-availability of the electoral committee from the PDP headquarters to conduct the primaries.
Speaking on the uncertainty, the Lagos PDP Chairman, Mr Philip Aivoji told NAN that the electoral committees sent to conduct both primaries were nowhere to be found.
“As a party man and politician who knows the rule inside out. I went to the state secretariat as early as 7:00 a.m., hoping to receive the Electoral Committee members sent from the headquarters to conduct the primaries and to arrange accommodation for them.
“To my surprise, they did not show up. We guess they already have their contacts and I know the number of vehicles that took them to another place entirely.
“While I waited for many hours, I reached out to some members and I found out that they were in another hotel.
“I went there and accosted them that they should have contacted me as the state chairman to receive them at the state secretariat,” he said.
He said that he was able to move them to the hotel which was prepared for them.
Aivoji, however, said that the electoral committee members expected to conduct the House of Representatives’ primary were not complete, saying only the chairman of the committee and a member were available.
According to him, no member of the entire electoral committee who are to conduct the House of Assembly primary is available.
“Presently, we cannot understand what is going on, especially why the committee that is to handle the house of assembly cannot be reached.
“Up till now, they switched off their phones, we cannot reach them and the time is running out fast,” he said.
According to him, the state has some local government areas that will take four or six hours to get to like Badagry, Epe and Ibeju Lekki.
“There are so many things shrouded in secrecy and this is not supposed to be. We cannot guarantee the transparency and honesty of these people.
“I promised my people that I will be fair to everyone and that there will be equity and justice, now I cannot guarantee it.”
Aivoji said that he had told the team leader for the electoral committee for the House of Representatives to call others to address the issues.
He, however, called on the party faithful to remain calm, saying the party would address a news conference by 1:00 pm on the way forward and directives.
Also speaking, the Lagos PDP Secretary, Nr Soji Orioye told NAN that the electoral committee had absconded for over four to five hours.
“Party loyalists are already apprehensive and we don’t want a situation that will degenerate into crises.
“We don’t seem to have confidence again in the electoral committees sent from Abuja to conduct this election,” Orioye said.
Alhaji Adio Salami, PDP State Organising Secretary expressed disappointment in the committee, saying the party would not get things right if things were not done properly.
Some of the party leaders and governorship aspirants sited at the venue include, Messrs Deji Doherty, Olajide Adediran, Otunba Olanrewaju Jim-Kamal, and party executives among others.
There is a heavy presence of security personnel at the venue in Ikeja.
Bauchi assures aspirants of transparent process
The PDP in Bauchi State on Sunday assured aspirants of transparent process as it began nomination of candidates for the 31 state constituencies and 12 federal constituencies.
Mr Yayanuwa Zainabari, PDP’s Publicity Secretary in the state, told NAN in Bauchi that the exercise had commenced at about 10:00 in many places across the state.
He said about 50 aspirants jostled for the 12 Federal Constituencies and more than 150 candidates for the 31state constituencies.
He said election materials had been deployed to the electoral officers including the delegates’ register composed of names of state delegates and three delegates of the national assembly.
“The exercise for state constituencies will hold in the morning while that of the federal constituencies would take place in the evening starting by 2:00 pm.
“The election will be open ballot voting in presence of security agencies, INEC officials and independent monitors.
“The exercise will be free and fair. We are not expecting any problem from any of the venues. We have the lists of all accredited delegates. Only those who are accredited will be allowed into the venue,” he said.
He said stakeholders of the party had adopted consensus method in some areas while some candidates withdrew from the race.
He reiterated commitment of the party to provide level playing field for all candidates, warning that it would not condone acts capable of disrupting the smooth conduct of the exercise.
“As far as the leadership of PDP is concerned there are no favorite aspirants, the process will be transparent,” he said, and urged the party supporters to remain calm and orderly during the exercise.
The exercise is being conducted peacefully across designated centres in Bauchi metropolis.