FCT Senatorial Aspirant Alleges Manipulation of NDC Primary Election

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) senatorial aspirant on the platform of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Aisha Yesufu, has alleged that the party’s primary election was manipulated by some party leaders.

InfoStride News reports that the activist-turned-politician contested for the FCT Senate seat but later withdrew from the race over alleged irregularities in the conduct of the primary.

In a statement detailing her concerns, Yesufu claimed that the exercise was conducted in a manner that undermined transparency and fairness.

According to her, the primary election was held in a closed setting with what she described as a “predetermined outcome dressed in procedural formalities.”

She alleged that the exercise was repeatedly postponed and that the venue was changed at the last minute without adequate notice to stakeholders.

Yesufu further claimed that the party failed to adhere to its established guidelines for the conduct of the primary election.

“The guidelines of the party were not followed. A delegate-based process was introduced to be conducted at a central location instead of the direct primaries to be conducted at local government headquarters,” she stated.

She also alleged that the final decision on the contest was not made through an open voting process.

“When the moment came, the contest was not decided by delegates in the open; it was affirmed in a closed room, away from the people whose voices it was supposed to reflect,” she said.

The former aspirant expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s subsequent defence of the exercise, maintaining that the process fell short of democratic standards.

“The party will indeed go on to release statements upon statements about the free and fair nature of the Abuja FCT primaries.

“They are entitled to their voice, but the facts that transpired, when litigated by conscience and the guidelines of the Electoral Act, do not reflect justice and fairness,” she added.

The NDC is yet to officially respond to the allegations.