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Secondus emerges PDP national chairman amid allegations of rigging

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Secondus emerges PDP national chairman amid allegations of rigging

Prince Uche Secondus, long speculated to be the favoured candidate, has eventually emerged the new national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

His election is, however, not without rancour as two major rivals, Tunde Adeniran and Raymond Dokpesi, have alleged systematic rigging in the election process.

Secondus polled 2,000 of the delegates votes, while Adeniran emerged second with 230 votes and Dokpesi garnered 66 votes

Secondus had enjoyed the massive backing of PDP governors led by Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State.

Secondus beat his closest rival, Tunde Adeniran, who became a rallying point for the Southwest zone after other contestants namely Bode George, Jimi Agbaje, Gbenga Daniel, Rashidi Ladoja and Olusegun Aderemi withdrew from the race.

Controversy had trailed the elections when a purported ‘Unity list’ surfaced ahead of voting indicating the distribution of party offices. The document had Uche Secondus penciled as national chairman. Dokpesi was the first to raise the alarm but party bigwigs allegedly claimed ignorance of circulation of the document. He thereafter called for a review of the entire process.

Read also: Who said what at PDP Nat’l Convention

Reacting angrily to perceived manipulations of the electoral process, Adeniran led his supporters to walk out on the convention. His spokesman, Taiwo Akeju, was to later address the media. He said,

“We reject the entire electoral process of December 9, 2017. The election was grossly compromised to achieve a predetermined end in line with the illegal ‘Unity List’ prepared by Governors Nyesom Wike and Ayodele Fayose and foisted on the entire delegates.

“Consequently, we submit that this election is a sham and its result is unacceptable. We reject it in its entirety.”

He added, “We consider this so-called election as a travesty of democracy and due process, which further entrenches the culture of impunity that has done a great damage to the party in the past.”

About 2,233 delegates voted at the national convention, which held at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

The delegates list shows that Abia had 90 delegates, Adamawa, 56; Akwa Ibom, 140; Anambra, 20; Bauchi, 53; Benue, 69; Borno, 63; Cross River, 86; Delta, 105 and Ebonyi, 80.

Others are Edo, 61; Ekiti, 92; Enugu, 101; Gombe, 64; Imo, 79; Jigawa, 65; Kaduna, 70; Kano, 100; Katsina, 76; Kebbi, 48; Kogi, 63; Kwara, 22; Lagos, 55; Nasarawa, 42; Niger, 63; Ogun, 61; and Ondo, 56, Osun, 11; Oyo, 71; Plateau, 56; Rivers, 93; Sokoto, 51; Taraba, 77; Yobe, 44; Zamfara, 34; and the Federal Capital Territory, 24.

Besides Secondus, other officers who were elected at the convention are as follows:

1. National Chairman – Prince Uche Secondus
2. National Deputy Chairman South – Elder Yemi Akinwonmi

3. National Deputy Chairman North – Sen. Gamawa Babawo Garba
4. National Secretary – Sen. Ibrahim Tsauri
5. Deputy National Secretary – Dr. Agbo Emmanuel
6. National Treasurer – Hon. Aribisala Adewale
7. Deputy National Treasurer – Alh. Wada Masu
8. Financial Secretary – Ibrahim Husseini Maibasira
9. Dep. Fin. Sec. – Hon. Irona Alphonsus
10. Nat. Org. Sec. – Col (Rtr) Austin Akobundu

11. Dep. Nat. Org. Sec. – Barr. Hassan Yakubu
12. Publicity Secretary – Kola Ologbondiyan
13. Dep. Nat. Pub. Sec. – Hon. Diran Odeyemi
14. Nat. Legal Adviser – Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem
15. Dep. Nat. Legal Adviser – Barr. Ahmed Bello Liman
16. Nat. Auditor – Mal. Adamu Mustapha
17. Dep. Nat. Auditor – Miss Divine Amina Arong
18. Nat. Women Leader – Haj. Mariya Waziri

19. Dep. Nat. Women Leader – Umoru Adizet Hadizat
20. Nat. Youth Leader – Rt. Hon. Udeh Okoye
21. Dep. Nat. Youth Leader – Umar Babangida Maina

A critical examination of the names shows that they tally the with ‘Unity list’ which had been grounds for resentment by contestants like Dokpesi and Adeniran.

 

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