Date: 2002-12-25

In Kwara State, there are conflicting reports on whether the PDP primaries held or was postponed.

A letter dated December 24, 2002, addressed to the chairmen of the state electoral panels in Kwara, Taraba and Zamfara states, PDP national organising secretary, Hon. Inuwa Labaran said the primaries was suspended to enable a parley of all stakeholders in the various state PDP chapters. However, the parley should hold on time to enable the conduct of party primaries before December 28.

In the letter entitled: "Discontinuation of Congresses and Primaries," Labaran told chairmen of the electoral committees in the three states that: "I am directed to inform you that all the congresses and primaries scheduled for your state should be discontinued henceforth.

"Your committee is directed to sit and discuss with all the contestants cleared by the screening committee and party stakeholders on the new date for your state congress for electing flag bearers," ordered PDP, however adding, "such congress should not be held beyond December 28, 2002."

The one-page letter ended by stressing, "You are further directed to adhere strictly to this directive as any violation shall lead to outright cancellation of your state primaries."

However, another report indicated that son of Kwara strongman, Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday evening emerged as the gubernatorial flagbearer of the PDP in Kwara State.

Bukola, at the party's primary election held at Pacific Hotel, along Airport Road, Ilorin polled 123 votes followed by Alhaji Yekeen Alabi and Alhaji Yerima Abdullahi with 11 votes each. Other aspirants, Alhaji A.K. Jimoh, Alhaji Shaabe Lafiaji, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo and Alhaji Ayinla Folorunsho did not score any vote.

The chairman of the election panel sent from the PDP national secretariat in Abuja, Prince Allen Okirigwe, shortly before the commencement of the exercise described the primary as special because so many people thought that the exercise would not hold.

Culled from ThisDay