Irregularities mar SDP’s picking of candidates in Benue

National Chairman of Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Oluyemisi Samuel Falae

Irregularities seemed to have marred the House of Assembly and National Assembly primaries of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Benue State.

At the party’s secretariat located along Makurdi/Gboko Road yesterday, The Guardian spoke with some of the aspirants who stormed the secretariat to register their grievances and misgivings about the primaries last Saturday.

Some of such aspirants, including David Iher, Akatyo Dickson and Samuel Abaji, all contenders for House of Assembly, alleged ballot box snatching and stuffing of ballot boxes, thuggery, tempering with election results and other vices as reasons for the primaries to be declared inconclusive in some areas.

They also alleged that some money-bags hijacked the party to the detriment of others even as they have no credible records to show to the electorate.

They, therefore, vowed to contest the result if the party goes ahead to announce what they described as ‘fake result.’

Also, a member of House of Representatives representing Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency, Franc Utoo, said though irregularities also marred the primaries at Makurdi South, but added that it would not affect the outcome of the results.

Also, an aide to Senator Barnabas Gemade, Ngukpen Diogo, who spoke with journalists on telephone, confirmed that the primaries were marred with irregularities with some hoodlums hijacking election materials in some areas.

He said that due to irregularities, the primaries could not hold in two out of the seven local councils that make up the Benue North East Senatorial District.

However, the state chairman of the party, John Enemari, declined comment, saying that the party was still collating results and would address newsmen later.