Kachikwu, Utomi, Ochei shun poll in Delta, seek postponement
The crisis rocking the Delta State All Progressives Congress (APC) deepened yesterday as three governorship aspirants shunned the primaries, while asking for a postponement of the exercise.
They said the delegates’ list had remained elusive to them as they prepared for the primaries.
One of the aspirants, Professor Pat Utomi, told journalists in Asaba that he opted out of the election, just as efforts to access the Federal Technical College (FTC), Asaba, venue of the exercise, proved abortive.
Journalists were refused entrance gun wielding security operatives barricaded the FTC’s entrance gate.
Utomi described the process as illegitimate, adding that the delegates’ list was not available to the aspirants, which is against the norm, saying they were supposed to have access to the list three days before the primaries.
He said at a meeting between critical stakeholders that included Major General Lawrence Onoja (rtd.) that three of the aspirants suggested postponing the exercise due to the defects that have trailed the exercise.
According to Utomi, those present at the meeting included former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, former Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Victor Ochei and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu.
“The delegates list is not available and as such aspirants have not seen the list. I believe only those who drew up the list have it.
“The list should have been made available to all at least three days to the primaries to enable aspirants make their pitch to them. There is no level playing field for all aspirants.
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