PDP primary: Ex-Ijaw youth President, Eradiri dumps party, gives reasons

A former President of the Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, Udengs Eradiri has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Eradiri dumped the party over the incident of violence recorded during the primary election in Bayelsa state.

The ex-IYC President was seeking the party’s ticket for the House of Representatives, Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency.

Speaking yesterday in Yenogoa, the state capital, Eradiri said PDP made a mockery of Nigeria’s democracy during the primary election in the state.

He alleged that he was shot at by hoodlums mobilized to attack his supporters despite being an aspirant.

Eradiri lamented that the party’s primary in the state was characterised by violence, rigging and imposition of candidates.

He said: “Well, I was a member of the PDP and was dissatisfied with the way the primaries went, right from when ward congresses were conducted.

“Ward congress elections did not hold, yet names of delegates were written. We protested but nothing was done about it.

“At the primaries of Wednesday (October 3), I saw the height of an undemocratic process. In fact, 12 wards from my federal constituency were excluded.

“Violence was unleashed on our people. People were mobilised to violently attack our supporters. Even as an aspirant standing for the primary, I was shot at.

“The same thing applies to my delegates who were scared out of the election venue. The party did not adhere to all principles of the true, free and fair democratic process.”