A group of thirteen aspirants from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have formally objected to the alleged backing of Mr. Enemona Anyebe as the consensus candidate for the chairmanship position in Kogi State.
An earlier report by NewsNow had stated that a committee consisting of former governors and party leaders had endorsed Mr. Enemona Anyebe as the consensus candidate for the PDP chairmanship role in the state.
However, speaking at a national press conference in Lokoja on Tuesday, spokesperson for the forum of Kogi State PDP Chairmanship aspirants, Aruwa Ismaila, highlighted that the supposed endorsement of Anyebe was baseless and misguiding.
Representing the thirteen aspirants competing for the State Chairmanship position, Ismaila stated, “We reject the narrative surrounding Anyebe as the party’s consensus candidate as it lacks factual basis and misrepresents the truth.”
He went on to emphasize that the rejection was instigated during a meeting of Kogi East critical stakeholders in Lokoja on April 29, 2024, where the Elders Review Report on Zoning, particularly the nomination of Mr. Anyebe from Olamaboro, was firmly dismissed.
Pointing out that their stance remains unaltered from the prior zoning committee report, Ismaila added, “We disapprove of the Elders’ Review Committee Report and assert that our position has not been conveyed through any intermediary nor will it be in the future.”
Furthermore, he denounced the endorsement of Mr. Enemona Anyebe, labeling it as an intrusion on the Kogi State PDP leadership’s authority and an unwelcome attempt to manipulate the system.
The group of aspirants voiced concerns that the endorsement was orchestrated by Chief John Odawn, who allegedly advocated diverting support from the PDP towards the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate.
Expressing apprehension over the compromising effect of such actions on the party’s integrity, Ismaila affirmed, “We refuse to endorse a candidate who has not previously shown interest or abided by the necessary procedures for candidacy.”
Conclusively, the discontented aspirants urged the party leadership to ensure fairness among all contenders in the race for the position.