Tensions mount as PDP primaries begin on shaky notes

Alhaji Isaika Shodiya, Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Alimosho Local Government Area (LGA), has decried delays in the party’s primaries for the State House of Assembly and Federal House of Representatives elections.

Shodiya told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday that ”a mix up on the issue of venue” led to the delay in the election process in Alimosho Constituency One and Two.

According to him, the venue allocated and communicated to party officials is different from what was given to the returning officers.

He said that they were waiting for directive from the state on either to relocate the venue of constituency one to Iyana Ipaja or not.

”That is why I am convening an Executive Council meeting now so that we can resolve this matter,,” he said.

NAN reports that party members, delegates, agents and security personnel were on ground as early as 10.00 a.m. at the Alimosho party Secretariat at 183 Akowonjo Road, Sobo Bus stop.

The Constituency 01 party faithful clustered in various groups around the PDP Secretariat and both sides of the Akowonjo Road waiting for the returning officers.

NAN reports that the party chairman, who made a brief stop at the venue earlier in the morning returned at 12:05 p.m. and after addressing the NAN correspondents went into a closed meeting with the executive members of the party.

He had told NAN that the meeting was aimed at resolving issues.

Rising from the meeting at 12:56 p.m. he said that the entire delegates were moving to the new venue.

”The update is that we want to move from this place to 233 Abeokuta Expressway, the new venue. The Department of State Services are already on ground at the new venue,” he said.

NAN reports that 140 aspirants are contesting for the PDP tickets for the 40 seats in the Lagos State House of Assembly and 85 for the 24 Federal House of Representatives seats.