TheCable

The governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been cancelled following a confrontation between supporters of two leading aspirants.

The exercise had been going on smoothly at Banquet Hall, opposite government house, Ilorin, until some loyalists of Bolaji Abdullahi and Razak Atunwa, two top aspirants, clashed over alleged attempt to manipulate the primary.

Some supporters of Abdulahi alleged that most of the ballot papers had the name of Atuwa written on them.

Atunwa is reported to have the backing of Abdulafatai Ahmed, the governor.

“Even if the governor will back anybody, should it be Atunwa? That man that is stingy,” one of the delegates was heard saying

In the confusion that followed, the ballot boxes were smashed and the materials used for the election destroyed.

Security operatives tried to calm the aggrieved protesters but did not succeed in doing so.

A party official said the delay in sharing food to the delegates led to the commotion.