Abuja — Chairmanship aspirants from 14 local governments area in Kogi state have dragged the Kogi state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Lokoja High court over allegations of imposition of candidates in the Saturday, July 26 local government election in the state.

In the suit number HCL/20/2008, Messrs Sunday Shigaba, Ahmed Abdullahi, Ali Balemo, Isaiah Udu Yusuf, Aduku Adaji, Adamu Mohammed, Mahmud Abbas, David Ogu, Timothy Umoru, Tomayo Kanjuni, Yahaya Yakam alleged that they were persuaded by the PDP to purchase the nomination forms at N200, 000 per form only to be shut out of the primary election to determine the candidates for the election .

They also deposed in the originating summons before the court that those nominated for the election, as flag bearers for the July elections are not qualified to contest as they had taken employment in the state as Caretaker Committee Chairman prior to the election. The chairmanship aspirants asked the court to restrain the nominated candidates from being recognized as PDP Chairmanship candidates for the following local government: Bassa, Lokoja, Ajaokuta, Omala, Igalamela/Odolu, Ibaji, Idah, Ijumu, Dekina, Ankpa and Yagba West.

They are also praying the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party led by Prince Vincent Ogbulafor to order the state chapter of the party to conduct the primary election in line with section 17 of the constitution of the party.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja over the weekend, the aspirants numbering over 32 from the 14 local governments alleged that they were lured into purchasing nomination forms for the Council election scheduled for July 26, but surprisingly, the party refused to conduct primary election to choose the candidates of the party for the election.

According to the chairmanship aspirants from Bassa, Lokoja, Ajaokuta, Omala, Igalamela/Odolu, Ibaji, Idah, Ijumu, Dekina, Ankpa and Yagba West, the party in Kogi state refused to allow a primary election to determine the flag bearers for the July 26 election, and rather hand picked the candidates.