Drop Gov. Idris Wada, Group Tells PDP

PDP Concerned Group has petitioned the party’s Governors’ Forum and the national chairman to drop the incumbent governor of Kogi state, Idris Wada, from running in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

Governor Idris Wada of Kogi state

In its 9 pages petition, the group said Mr Wada has performed badly and his candidature would not secure victory for the party at the poll.

“Our party would have won convincingly and retained power in states like Benue Plateau, Adamawa, Niger and even Kwara state, and some other states if only we fielded more acceptable candidates for the said elections. If PDP loses in the forthcoming gubernatorial polls, the morale of many party faithful in this state will drop, and many might decamp to other parties,” the petitioners said.

The petition urged the party leadership to ensure that the gubernatorial primary elections is credible stressing that the governor could manipulate the election in his favour.

The group also alleged that the governor bought over some party leaders with the sum of N2 million each.

But the special adviser to the governor on media and strategy,  Jacob Edi, said the group cannot speak on behalf of Kogi people.

“First of all, the group in question has no monopoly in speaking for the people of Kogi state.Also, just as they are saying the PDP will lose if Governor Wada contests; there are other groups that have also said that the only alternative for the PDP will be the emergence of Wada as the party’s flag-bearer. They include: the Kogi State Elders Forum, students, market women, okada riders and others”Mr. Edi told PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr. Edi added that the only possible reason for the group’s statement is malice, but noted that “In politics you can’t have everyone on your side.”

The statement was signed by five members of the group; Husseni Idris, Mohammed Bello, Taiye Oshadare, Emanuel Sani and Ishaya Yusuf.

Recently, another group within the PDP, Rethink Nigeria had advised the party elders to field young candidates in the coming Bayelsa and Kogi states gubernatorial elections.