A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) senatorial aspirant on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Aisha, has alleged that the party’s primary election was manipulated by some leaders, leading to her withdrawal from the contest.
Aisha, an activist-turned-politician, claimed that the exercise lacked transparency and failed to comply with the party’s guidelines and electoral regulations.
In a statement detailing her grievances, she alleged that the primary election was conducted behind closed doors with a predetermined outcome disguised as a legitimate process.
According to her, the exercise suffered multiple postponements, while the venue was changed at the last minute, creating uncertainty among participants.
She further claimed that the party deviated from its approved guidelines by replacing the planned direct primary system with a delegate-based process conducted at a central location rather than at local government headquarters.
“The guidelines of the party were not followed. A delegate-based process was introduced to be conducted at a central location instead of the direct primaries to be conducted at local government headquarters,” she said.
Aisha also alleged that the final decision on the contest was not made openly by delegates as expected.
“When the moment came, the contest was not decided by delegates in the open; it was affirmed in a closed room, away from the people whose voices it was supposed to reflect,” she stated.
She maintained that despite any official declarations by the party regarding the credibility of the exercise, the events that transpired did not reflect fairness or justice.
“The party will indeed go on to release statements upon statements about the free and fair nature of the Abuja FCT primaries. They are entitled to their voice, but the facts that transpired, when litigated by conscience and the guidelines of the Electoral Act, do not reflect justice and fairness,” Aisha added.
The NDC has yet to officially respond to the allegations.
