KOGI: Crisis rocks PDP as ex Gov Idris imposes sons, aides

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kogi State is gradually driving itself into fresh crisis following alleged moves by a former governor of the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris.

Idris is alleged to have hatched a plot to impose his family members and aides as candidates in different positions during the forthcoming primaries of the party.

Alhaji Idris, who is leader of the party in the state, is said to have perfected plans to install his sons, and aide as sole candidates to fly the flag of the party in various positions during the 2019 general elections.

This is coming barely a few weeks to the PDP primaries.

Many stalwarts of the party, fear that mass defection is imminent in the state as the party leader is said to have vowed to impose his son, Abubakar Idris as the governorship candidate, and Mohammed Audu as Senatorial District candidate of the party for Kogi East.

Mohammed Audu is son of the late Abubakar Audu, another former governor of the state and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the November 2015 gubernatorial election in the state.

Another of Alhaji Idris’ son, Mohammed, is said to be vying for the House of Representatives again.

Interestingly, Mohammed was a House of Reps member while the father was governor of the state. But he (Mohammed) lost the primary election in his second attempt despite the fact his father was a sitting governor.

Some stakeholders of the PDP in the state are already crying blue murder, describing Alhaji Idris’ moves as a wicked plot to run the party aground.

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They lament, that the rival APC is waiting in the wings to poach key leaders who are piqued by this new development.

One party leader who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “We are all aware of Alhaji Idris’ underground moves, but I can assure you it won’t stand. PDP is not a family business, as such he cannot run the party as his own.

“We will block any attempts to make the party a one-man business in Kogi State. If it succeeds, we will all move to another party where they consider us useful.

“Alhaji Idris is one of those who destroyed the party this much. I think enough is enough.”

Another party stalwart claimed that Alhaji Idris has sworn to withdraw all financial support from the party if he does not have his way, by seeing his candidates bear the party’s flags in the respective positions.

Recall that Mohammed Audu, who is being positioned to fly the Kogi East Senatorial District flag of the PDP was accused recently by the police of breeding political thugs alongside the senator representing Kogi West, Senator Dino Melaye ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Two political thugs paraded in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital by the Nigeria police had allegedly named Melaye and Mohammed Audu as their major sponsors.

 

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