Nasarawa North Poll Must Be Free, Fair — Not Like APC Primary – Kudu
….Governors, LG Chairmen Hold Too Much Party Power
By Roseline Okafor, Lafia
A member of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly representing Nasarawa Eggon East Constituency, Hon. Jacob Kudu Ajegena, has faulted the recent All Progressives Congress, APC, primary election, describing the exercise as undemocratic and marred by irregularities.
The lawmaker stated that the forthcoming Nasarawa North Senatorial bye-election scheduled for Saturday must be conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.
Hon. Kudu made the remarks while speaking with journalists at his residence in Akwanga, where he assessed the level of preparedness among residents ahead of the bye-election.
According to him, the people of Nasarawa North deserve a credible electoral process, unlike the APC primary election, which he said was riddled with manipulation and fell short of acceptable democratic standards.
He further disclosed that his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) was informed by what he described as poor leadership within the party and the systematic marginalization of genuine members capable of repositioning it for success.
The lawmaker alleged that no primary election was conducted in his constituency, yet results were allegedly fabricated and a candidate declared winner.
“After the election, I and the former Chairman of Kokona Local Government Area, Alhaji Auwal, met with Governor Abdullahi A. Sule and reported the irregularities to him. But the Governor said anyone who loses an election usually claims it was rigged. That is very unfortunate coming from a leader,” he said.
Hon. Kudu also faulted the party’s leadership structure, particularly the arrangement that places governors as party leaders at the state level and local government chairmen as leaders at the grassroots.
“How can a lawmaker like me, or even a senator or member of the House of Representatives, be answerable to a local government chairman as party leader? It was not like this before. Everyone should be accountable to the party leadership in a proper democratic structure,” he queried.
Speaking on the Nasarawa North Senatorial bye-election, the lawmaker urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure fairness by providing a level playing field for all political parties and declaring the rightful winner without interference.
He also called on security agencies to remain professional and impartial throughout the electoral process.
“They should remain neutral while carrying out their responsibilities, especially considering the security challenges currently facing the country,” he said.
Hon. Kudu further appealed to residents of Nasarawa North to come out in large numbers and exercise their civic responsibility by voting for candidates of their choice without fear of intimidation, harassment, or coercion.
