The senator representing Kogi West senatorial district, Sen. Dino Melaye will not be given automatic ticket by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to contest for the seat in the 2019 general election.
This was made known after a meeting of the party stakeholders in Kogi West senatorial district held in Aiyetoro Gbede, Melaye’s hometown.
The meeting was said to have been held in the residence of Sen. David Jemibewon, a member of the Board of Trustees of the party.
According to details of the meeting available to the media, no other incumbent or aspiring candidate on the platform of PDP in the senatorial district would be given automatic ticket as they all would be required to test their popularity at the primary election to be organised by the party.
The party said the decision became necessary to avoid situations that will bring impunity and cause disaffection among members.
While appealing to its aspirants to exhibit good conduct, the PDP also urged them to abide by its laid down rules and regulations guiding elections.
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Meanwhile, the PDP has condemned the bye-election held by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to fill the vacancy in the Lokoja / Kogi Federal Constituency seat.
The party said the polls fell behind expected minimum standard and made a mockery of the nation’s electoral process.
Specifically, the party condemned the use of political thugs and security agencies to muscle the opposition and cause violence.
The party called on the Federal Government to put modalities in place to forestall a recurrence so that people do not resort to self-help when confronted by similar occurrence.