Members of the Kogi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party are currently protesting what they described as major domination of the party by the sons of a former governor of the state, Ibrahim Idris.
Idris was the governor of the state between 2003 and 2011.
The current uproar in the party is that Alhaji Idris has imposed two of his sons, Mohammed and Abubakar on the party, ahead of the 2019 general elections.
The situation, according to sources, has made some of the members to threaten to leave the party.
Meanwhile, the state PDP publicity Secretary, Mr. Bode Ogunmola, has stated that Idris’ sons have rights to contest in the forthcoming elections.
He insisted that the duo have equal stakes to contest election, describing the controversy as unnecessary.
He confirmed that Mohammed Idris, a one time Reps member representing Ankpa/Omala/Olamaboro Federal constituency has collected the interest form to re-contest in 2019.
He also added that Abubakar Idris has also collected form to contest as governor.
Ogunmola further asserted that what was important to Kogi PDP was their electoral values, insisting that both should canvass for votes that would earn them
victory.
“That two of the sons of the former governor of Kogi State are contesting election is a fact. It is a fact in the sense that both of them have collected interest form from the state Secretariat which I am
aware.
“There is no law anywhere that says if your father was a one time governor, you should not contest.
“What is important is for the aspirants, including those of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris’s children to canvass for votes at the grassroot levels,” Ogunmola said.
Reacting to alleged preferential treatment of Idris, who is the State PDP leader, he stated that Kogi PDP leadership is made up of people with pedigree that would not compromise or reserve tickets for the highest bidder.
“The PDP guideline is clear on how candidates will emerge and all of them will face primaries. Whoever accuses us of compromise is ungodly and I assure you that there is no automatic ticket for anybody and we will not reserve ticket for the highest bidder,” he added.
