Date: 2018-10-01

The governorship primary of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kwara State on Sunday was disrupted.

Accreditation of delegates had commenced about 8.30am at Kwara Hotel amid a tight security. There was also a high presence of security operatives on major roads leading to the hotel. Vehicles were diverted while only a few were allowed close to the venue of the accreditations.

Accreditations lasted till about 4pm while delegates and aspirants later went to the Banquet Hall to cast their votes. The venue also had a high presence of security operatives.

Some of the aspirants included the Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr Ali Ahmad; Bolaji Abdullahi, Senator Sha’aba Lafiagi, Alhaji Ladi Hassan, Aliyu Ahman-Pategi, Alhaji Saka Isau (SAN), Prof. Sulaiman Abubakar, Alhaji Ibrahim Ajia and Alhaji Zakari Mohammed. Seated at the high table included the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed; former Nigeria’s Ambassador to The Netherland, Nimota Ibrahim; Kawu Baraje, Joel Ogundeji, and the state PDP chairman, Alhaji Kola Shittu.

Some officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission were present during the exercise. They included Mr Jibrin Maaji, Patrick Friday, Jacob Ayanda, Solihu Wolu, Adebayo Aremu, Jubril Abubakar and Adelabu Raliat.

PDP national officials that came to supervise the exercise included Charles Menagbo, Edward Benjamin, Bankole Thomas, Naeti Chikwe and Chuks Akwitt.

It was observed that many of the prominent party leaders appeared not too much impressed with the exercise.

Sign that all was not well with the process emerged when Ahmad announced that he had withdrawn from the contest.

The process, however, continued. After delegates from Ifelodun and Baruteen local government areas had voted and delegates from Asa Local Government were about to vote, a lady started shouting. She said, "I will not agree. I must be settled."