By MONDAY AJOGUN

The leadership of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has sued for peace as members staged a peaceful protest over alleged irregularities during the party’s primaries in Edo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NDC primaries to choose its candidates for the 2027 general elections, held nationwide on Friday for the presidential, national assembly and house of assembly.

NAN reports that some aggrieved member of the party in the state protested just as the primaries were about to kick off, over what they described as irregularities by the National Working Committee for the primaries.

The Chairman of the NDC primaries in Edo, Mr Fred Owotorufa, while briefing newsmen in Benin, said the primaries must hold and would be concluded before midnight.

Owotorufa directed all the aspirants and their supporters to move to their various wards and Local Government Area for the primaries, assuring that the process would be free and fair.

He said outcome of the primaries would be sent from the wards to the local government area offices of the party, the constituency offices and then to the committee in Benin for the state.

“This process should be concluded before 12 midnight, it’s a selfless sacrifice and we should all be prepared to sacrifice for our great nation and party.

“We must conclude this process before 12 midnight and we should sacrifice for it,” he said.

He explained that the NDC do not have a preferred aspirant, adding that they have deployed a level playing ground for all.

One of the aggrieved party faithful, Mr Cletus Omoruyi, alleged that they were made to come out early, only for the leaders of the party to direct them to return to their various wards.

“How is it possible, look at the time, they are not being transparent enough, hence the protest.

Another protester, Ms Monica Enabulele, noted said she was very disappointed with the whole process because they all expected the committee to be up and doing.

“We are not sure that we will get what we expected from this processes.”

Mr David Omokugbo, a chieftain of the party, demanded that the committee should come explain the reason for keeping them for too long before giving the directive on direct primaries. (NAN)

Update news