It has become imperative and indeed urgent to call the attention of the good people of Yagba Federal Constituency to a political maneuvering ahead of tomorrow’s House of Representatives Primary Election. The party Constitution and indeed the electoral acts expressly stipulated the guidelines for a direct primary election but allegedly in Kogi State at the moment, the story is entirely different.
From information gathered, there are purported meetings ongoing at the Lugard House to circumvent and compromise democratic system and free demonstration of democratic rights and a bid to short changed the collective will of the people.
Also, information at our disposal, party stalwarts have lamented non- distribution of party membership cards, also according to our source, 26 party members per ward have been selected to resume early to the various ward polling units, as they are the one who have been charged with voting as party members, while the majority are disenfranchised, all Ward Party Chairmen have been appointed as electoral returning officer and all returning officers have been given a script to play as results have been written ahead of the primary election. If such allegation is true, such moves erodes loyalty, discourages long-term members, and weakens grassroots trust, often leading to poor performance of members in the party affairs, disregards members who have invested time and resources, destroying local motivation, violates the principle that party nomination is a reward for sincere service, not a patronage and clientelism or transactional politics, there is also tendency that it will fuels intra-party conflicts, lawsuits, electoral losses for the party and mass defections, which can weaken the administration and the ruling party.
We want to state unequivocally that it is expedient to uphold the principles of political stability, inclusivity, and the maintenance of peace within a democratic framework by allowing participatory democracy which prevents feelings of marginalization.
The question on the lips of many across Yagba Federal Constituency is, how would a man who decamped a week ago to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and claimed he is popular and has the political mettle now running away from a free, fair transparent and credible primary election?
His Excellency, Governor Usman Ododo, due to the weight of the allegation, we want to humbly advice you to dissociate yourself from such alleged arrangement and those advising you to further orchestrate the breach of the party constitution and electoral acts. Such moves will be perceived as a betrayal of trust, therefore upholding it reinforces your reputation as a Governor committed to fairness, equity, inclusivity and justice.
It is expedient to ensure that all voices are heard, and creating a stable and peaceful environment for tomorrow’s primary election is demanding.
Signed:
APC Integrity Support Group
15th May, 2026
