Fresh controversy has trailed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives primary for Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency in Bauchi State following the rejection of the exercise by one of the aspirants, Godfrey Manasseh Marti.
Marti, who addressed journalists in Bauchi on Monday, alleged that he was unlawfully denied participation in the primary despite meeting all constitutional and party requirements.
The aggrieved aspirant insisted that no legitimate primary election was conducted in the constituency and accused party officials of undermining internal democracy.
He said he purchased nomination and expression of interest forms, submitted the necessary documents and paid all required fees before his alleged exclusion from the final list of cleared aspirants.
Marti claimed that no official reason was given for the action, describing it as arbitrary and unconstitutional.
“The people deserve a free and fair process where the best candidate emerges through the will of party members, not through backroom decisions,” he stated.
He warned that the alleged exclusion could deepen discontent within the party and weaken the PDP’s credibility ahead of future elections.
The aspirant demanded an independent investigation by the PDP National Working Committee into the screening and clearance process for the constituency.
He also called for the cancellation of the purported primary and the conduct of a fresh and inclusive exercise.
Marti appealed to the PDP national leadership, the Bauchi State chapter and the party’s Board of Trustees to intervene urgently, stressing that justice delayed would amount to injustice against party members in the constituency.
“Unlawful Denial of Right to Participate in the PDP Primary for Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency,” Marti alleged.
The PDP primary was conducted under the leadership of the faction of Nigeria’s main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed, an ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
