According to Vanguard, a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olugbenga Edema, has raised concerns about the conduct of the election under the supervision of the committee led by Kogi state governor, Usman Ododo.
Speaking to reporters in the state capital, Akure, Edema accused the committee of irregularities despite assurances of prompt distribution of election materials. He expressed disappointment over the failure to adhere to the agreed-upon timeline for accreditation and voting procedures.
Edema reveals that despite assurances made during a stakeholders meeting, the distribution of voting materials, including the membership register and result sheets, had not occurred as promised. He highlighted the absence of materials for his own ward, Mahin ward 2 in Ilaje local government area, despite waiting since 6 a.m.
Edema further alleged that the committee had announced the results of the primary before the commencement of accreditation, raising doubts about the transparency and fairness of the process. He called on the party's leadership to intervene and ensure a free and fair electoral exercise.
According to him, "As I am talking, the materials have not been sent here, despite waiting since 6 a.m. At about 9:30, the chairman of the committee, the governor of Kogi State, said materials had been distributed. ‘At what time, where?’ Unfortunately for him, the returning and electoral officers of my ward (Mahin ward 2, Ilaje local government) are here without materials for my ward.”
"Then he had the effrontery to tell us that materials have been distributed and results have been announced at 10 a.m., when accreditation should start. We asked him questions, and he left us."
“We are not people being spoonfed by some godfathers; we have talked to our people, and they believe in us. All we’re asking is for them to vote, and their vote should count. We are asking the leadership of the party to look into this, and if they are not ready, they should postpone it, so the right thing can be done."