2023: Candidates appeal to PDP NWC to disengage from conducting fresh primaries in Ebonyi



The elected Candidates of the Peoples' Democratic Party's (PDP) during its primaries in Ebonyi, have appealed to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party to disengage from any plans towards conducting fresh primaries in the state.

It recalls that the party had on May 28 and 29 elected candidates for various positions to fly its flag in the 2023 general polls including the state House of Assembly, House of Representative, the Senate and the gubernatorial seats.

The Candidates said in a press conference in Abakaliki on Thursday, that using the already conducted primaries of the party would strengthen more peace among members of the party in the state.

Mr Lazarus Ogbe, one of the candidates and senatorial candidate for the Ebonyi Central, said the already elelcted candidates would not be part of any fresh primaries in Ebonyi.

"Unfortunately, we are hearing rumour that the same NWC have redirect to conduct fresh primary elections for the party in Ebonyi.

"As we speak, no reason have been given for reconducting of the primary elections of the party in the state.

"We won't be part of another primaries in the state; participating in any rescheduled party primaries in Ebonyi meant encouraging illegality and unconstitutionality.

"Under the law, political parties were not allowed to produce two candidates for a particular elective position in a given constituency.

"The already conducted primaries election was done in accordance with Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and PDP rules and guidlines.

"It is on note that there was three-man delegate congress to elect delegates in the 171 wards of Ebonyi. The three man delegates have gone to the field in verious constituencies and elected the candidates of their choice.

"The primary elections conducted on May 28 and 29 met all requirements of the Electoral Act and party guidelines for the primaries," he added.

Ogbe said that the primary elections were credible, transparent, free, fair and remained authentic since the exercises were monitored and observed by relevant authorities, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and the media.

"The election was satisfied as the most transparent one in the recent time. No breach of electoral and party guidline.

"We will not be part any other rescheduled party primaries and participation will amount to breaking the law.

“If you see your brother or leader breaking the law will you join him to break the law too?

“So, if they have sent another letter for the reconduct of the primary elections; well, we have done the elections as they directed.

“Maybe they have some other positions they want to conduct elections for. But, for the positions of House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senatorial and governorship, we have conducted in Ebonyi obeying all the party rules, guidelines and constitution.

“I don’t think that we will go back to what we have done. We are even preparing for our certificates of return so that we can go out there and start campaigning for the main election,” the group said.

Dr Ifeanyichukwuma Odii was elected and returned as PDP’s candidate in the election monitored and observed by INEC and security agencies including the police on May 29.

However, a letter dated May 31 and addressed to the Chairman of INEC which was jointly signed by Sen. Iyiorcha Ayu and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, PDP National Chairman and Secretary, cancelled the May 28 and 29 primaries.

The letter added that fresh primaries would be conducted between June 4 and 5 to elect the party’s candidates for the 2023 general elections