APC Reps Primaries Begin Across Kogi Amid Peaceful Conduct, Complaints of Irregularities

The House of Representatives primary elections of the All Progressives Congress (APC) commenced across Kogi State on Friday, with a large turnout of party members recorded in many ward headquarters as voting began as early as 8 a.m.

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In Idah Federal Constituency, the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Joel Oyibo Salifu, participated in the exercise at St. Martins Primary School, Ejule, the headquarters of Ejule-Allah Ward in Ofu Local Government Area.

The Deputy Governor arrived at the polling centre alongside party leaders and supporters, where accreditation and voting were conducted peacefully and orderly.

Speaking with journalists after casting his vote, Salifu expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise, describing it as peaceful, transparent and credible.

“As you can see, I just cast my vote for my preferred candidate, and I am happy with the peaceful conduct of the election. The feedback we are getting from other parts of Idah Federal Constituency and the state is equally encouraging. I congratulate our party and thank members for conducting themselves peacefully and orderly,” he said.

In Ajaokuta Federal Constituency, party members conducted an affirmation election for the sole aspirant, Hon. Sanni Egidi Abdulraheem, who also participated in the exercise in his Adogo Ward.

Similarly, in Lokoja/Kogi Federal Constituency, Hon. Danladi Aguye, who is the only aspirant, was returned unopposed.

Despite commendations from some party supporters over the process, there were complaints in certain areas regarding alleged irregularities and the absence of election materials.

In Okene/Ogori-Magongo Federal Constituency, a party member who spoke with our correspondent in confidence alleged irregularities in the conduct of the exercise.

“They gathered crowds, addressed them, and shouted ‘Ogembe’. There was no primary election,” he alleged.

Meanwhile, party members in Mopamuro Local Government Area of Yagba Federal Constituency turned out massively to participate in the exercise.

The Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, reacting on his official Facebook page, said: “Thank you, Mopamuro people. We have spoken clearly and unmistakably.”

Results announced by the party in Takete Ide/Otafun Ward 07 showed that Hon. Leke Abejide polled 892 votes, defeating his opponent, Pastor Babagbemi, who secured two votes.

Fanwo described the direct primary mode as a transparent process that gives party members the opportunity to freely decide who emerges as the party’s candidate.

“Direct primary is a clear way of giving party members the opportunity to speak clearly on who should be on the ticket of the party,” he stated.

Earlier, electoral officers deployed to Kogi State by the national leadership of the APC reaffirmed the party’s commitment to conducting transparent, credible and fair primary elections across the state.

Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Prof. Lawal Samaila Abdullahi, gave the assurance upon arrival in the state ahead of the exercise.