As primary elections began in Kogi State, the Peoples Democratic Party in the state has enmeshed itself in issues, especially disappearance of aspirants’ names from ballot, that could cost the party losing seats before the general elections in 2023.
Grapevines disclosed that the party was lucky to have discovered early, the omission of Senator Ahmed Ogembe’s name from ballot, hence the need to postpone the Senate Primary to Tuesday evening.
However, the party was not that lucky with Okene II Constituency where the name of one of the aspirants for Assembly ticket, Aliyu Oyiza Precious was excluded in the ballot, disenfranchising her from being voted for.
From legal indications, her decision to head to the court, especially as she was cleared and certified for the election, would be consequential to the party.
Precious in a statement issued on Tuesday has also indicated exploring legal options to seek redress and get justice.
She said: “When we got to the primary election, as the only woman in the contest, my name was omitted from the ballot paper, hence automatically excluding me from being voted for by the delegates. For the records, I bought the forms, appeared for the screening and was cleared to contest the ticket, thus leaving me shocked to not find my name printed on the ballot, and mistake not corrected in time for the election.
“Let it be known that as one who prepared for whatever outcome with no iota of desperation whatsoever, I would rather lose honorably and support the winner, than be glaringly robbed in broad daylight. It is an insult on my intelligence, experience and the trust reposed in me by my people.
“Therefore, I shall be considering every legal means to seek redress and get justice. This is part of the steps that must be taken by every Nigerian youth with aspiration to get it right from the foundation.”
Meanwhule, Ajanaku Tijani Umar was declared winner of the ticket emerged in the the Constituency.
