Five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirants in Kaduna State have described last Saturday’s ward congresses as “a sham”.

Addressing reporters in Kaduna, former Aviation Minister Felix Hyat; Senator Haruna Aziz; Alhaji Lawal Abdullahi; Mr Jimmy Dung and Air Commodore John Ajeye (rtd) rejected the results of the congresses, urging the party’s National Working Committee to cancel them and order fresh ones.

Dung, who read their position to reporters, said: “It is with great shock and embarrassment that we read reports in various newspapers suggesting that ward congresses were held in Kaduna State last Saturday.

“The guidelines and time table for the conduct of congresses for the 2015 general elections issued by the NEC stipulate that ward congresses to elect ad-hoc delegates would be held in all wards on November 1.

“Instead, the state PDP chairman, in collusion with the governor, earlier in the week set up committees comprising of commissioners and other government appointees, who sat in Kaduna and drew preferred names of delegates for each ward.

“This action undoubtedly runs contrary to the guidelines and constitution of the party. The party leadership in Kaduna has no power to amend or toy with the directives of the NEC. Therefore, it is our sincere prayer that the purported list of delegates cooked up by the Kaduna State PDP leadership should be set aside.”

The state PDP Chairman, Chief Abubakar Haruna, could not be reached at press time.

•Source: THE NATION. Photo shows Governor Yero of Kaduna State.