Ramatu Tasalla Shehu has dissociated herself from the just concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Kogi Central Senatorial District, saying it was a kangaroo election.
Speaking during a press briefing at NUJ secretariat Lokoja, on Monday, she said the briefing became imperative to set the record straight and make sure the event of the last few days is truly presented to the world, adding that she want posterity and history to note that there was no room for fair play and equity, they were not given equal opportunities.
Represented by Yusuf Adeku Abdulkari, her spokesperson, she disclosed that it was a tale of Animal Farm where all animals are equal but some are more equal than others because the election was just a predetermined selection and not an election process of Abubakar Sadiq Ohere, commissioner of Works.
She said: “As aspirants (Dalhatu Sheriff and I), we were never at any time allowed access to the delegates’ lists, nor were we obliged with copies.”
According to her, “There was no accreditation of the delegates. When we requested for reason why they were not accredited, we were informed that they have been accredited by their respective local government chairmen, a gross abuse of democracy.
“We were still in shock that Yahaya Karaku is the returning officer contrary to APC guidelines. This is a gross aberration of the rules.”
She also pointed out that “As soon as the voting was meant to start, a female delegate came forward and collected the ballot paper and walked to SSA Security Okene LGA, Zubairu Amoka to start writing out the names of the preferred candidate, Ohere on behalf of the delegates which we objected to. But we were ignored. In spite of our persistent insistence that due process must be followed and that the guidelines must be complied with, they failed and refused to acknowledge our protests. Thereafter, we decided to stage a walk out on protest.
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“Upon reaching outside, I called the chairman of the electoral committee from APC headquarters, he advised that we return to the venue and I immediately called Dalhatu Sheriff to join me, he arrived and we waited outside for the committee to arrive as well. The chairman and the other electoral committee members joined us and we went back to the hall. At this point the voting stopped temporary. And the chairman of the electoral committee tried to mediate between the three of us. While the process of mediation was going on, the Returning Officer and all the other political appointees present were impatient. They again commenced voting without waiting for a resolution, this to email in a more disorganised manner. Meanwhile, we were almost at a point of resolution because at this point, Dalhatu Sheriff had agreed to step down for the only female aspirant which is me.”
She equally alleged that they ignored it and proceeded with the voting, adding that at that point they left with no option than to stage a second walk out and left the venue in protest.
Ramatu Tasalla Shehu equally pointed out that they later saw a laughable result with imaginary votes allotted to them on social media , adding that all she asked for was a level playing field, so that people will choose who they want to ensure internal democracy .
“All I asked for is a level playing field. Let the people choose who they want to ensure internal democracy. Is that too much to ask?” she said.
She called on her teeming supporters to disregard the manipulation, remain calm and law abiding that they should join Governor Yahaya Bello in his beatific work of maintaining a peaceful state which he has worked hard to restore over the years.
“Peace is paramount. Politics is not war. It is not a do- or- die affair. I am very sure that His Excellency Yahaya Bello would not condone the assault on democracy as exhibited by his political appointees who were present in their full security compliment at the venue characterisation by intimidation in broad daylight light”.
“We are aware of flagrant irregularities of the whole process, neglect to the electoral act and guidelines, non-compliance with rules and convinced that with such evidence, the selection cannot stand.
“At the moment, the APC should be prepared to conduct a new primary as far as am concerned none was conducted. Always remember there is no easy walk to freedom. This is a direct reference to indirect primaries. The appointment of Kalaku is illegal and unconstitutional,” she said.
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