PDP GROUP ALLEGES PLANS TO MANIPULATE WARD EXECUTIVES

A GROUP, Afenmai Youth Coalition of Edo-North Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has raised alarmed over alleged plans by some members of the party in the area to alter the list of ward executives and delegates for the forthcoming primaries of the party. They said the development, if not checked, could lead to crisis in the party.

In a statement by its president, Williams Ohiozewa and made available to journalists recently, the group appealed to the national and the state leadership of the party to investigate the matter, saying that the plot was capable of increasing the woes of the party in the state.

'We are aware of efforts being made by the leadership of the party to reform the party ahead of the elections. But we have uncovered plans by these insincere and fraudulent leaders to induce their loyalists in this prearranged list with money to do this unwholesome act that is subverting the will of the people, which was the bane of the party in the last election.

'If this succeeds, the internal democracy crusade being preached by the leadership of the party would be jeopardised. We also learnt that the result of the primaries would not be announced at the venue of the elections. But we want to warn that we will resist any attempt by any group or individuals to mar the primaries with the use of thugs or other measures', it stated.

The statement, therefore, urged the leadership of the party to urgently intervene by ensuring that 'we have free and fair primaries at all levels. This is the only way we can say that the much talked about internal democracy being preached by the Chief Dan Orbih-led executives has succeeded'.