Kogi 2019: Hope Dims For Dino As Ex-Gov ‘Plots Son’s Imposition’ As PDP Candidate

The battle for who emerges the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the November 16 governorship election in Kogi state seems to be sparking fresh crisis in the state chapter of the party.

Senator Dino Melaye, who just recently declared his intention to run for the Kogi governorship under the PDP umbrella, may now have to battle a “godfather” in the state’s politics who is alleged to be plotting to impose his son as the party’s candidate for the race.

Former governor Ibrahim Idris is alleged to be making moves to influence the state party leadership to “adopt” his son Abubakar Idris as its candidate for the election.

It was learnt that some party members are already planning to protest the move.

So far, those listed on INEC’s website as contenders for the Kogi state governorship election under the PDP are former governor Idris Ichalla Wada for governorship position and Abayomi Awoniyi as the former’s deputy.

While Abubakar Idris had declared interest in the office last year, Senator Melaye only indicated interest in the position less than two weeks ago.

Meanwhile, former governor Ibrahim’s alleged plot to ensure his son emerges PDP’s candidate for the upcoming election is said to be yielding result already.

A party stalwart who pleaded anonymity told reporters in Kogi that part of the alleged strategy to trim down the number of aspirants for the position is to peg the nomination forms for governorship and deputy governorship positions at exorbitant fee.

“In the last two weeks, they have asked aspirants to pay the sum of N75 million as nomination form fee without giving any genuine reasons why aspirants are being asked to pay such ridiculous amount,” one aggrieved member told reporters.

The party stalwart called on the party leadership at the national level to check the alleged excesses of the former governor to avoid the party’s fall at the poll.