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Tag: 2019 ELECTIONS

  • Zamafara: APC insist it will present candidates for 2019 elections

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) is confident that it will be able to present candidates for all available positions in Zamfara State in the 2019 general election despite the insistence by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the case of the party in the state was closed.

    INEC Chairman had told newsmen on Monday that commission stands by its decision to bar the APC from presenting candidates for the elections in Zamfara state, said it will go ahead to submit list of candidates from the state.

    National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Lanre Isa-Onilu told The Nation that the party will meet all requirements for submission of candidates from Zamfara state.

    He said “INEC cannot say that we don’t have candidates for election until the deadline has expired. We have options of  consensus, direct and indirect primaries and we are going to apply like we have done in other states, our energies, time and concerns to pick our candidates.

    “I can assure you that before the October 18 deadline, we are going to meet all INEC requirements and we are going to submit names of all the candidates for not Zamfara state but all the 36 states and the FCT”.

    He dismissed the suggestion that APC might sue INEC, saying: “It is not yet something for the party to take legal action, nothing calls for that. We would not be reacting to what INEC said in the public”.

    He explained that after the party got a letter from the INEC, it replied it but was yet to receive a reply from the commission.

    “We are on the side of the law, we had a primary in Zamfara state. We are operating within the guidelines of INEC and the constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria. We believe that INEC does not the correct information on what happened in Zamfara and this we have stated in our letter to the commission.

    “They haven’t replied our letter so we take that the matter remained as it is. We also ask INEC that if they need more information from us, that we will be ready to offer it.

    He said that APC regards INEC as an umpire and it is only other parties in coming elections that need to complain about how its candidates emerged.

    “As an umpire you don’t give the result of a game that is ongoing. We still have up till October 18th to submit list of candidates for the election,” he said.

  • 2019: You’re next President of Nigeria, Obasanjo tells Atiku

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday forgave his former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alh. Atiku Abubakar, of any wrong doing and declared him the nation’s next President in 2019.

    Obasanjo who addressed Atiku as ” President – to- be” and congratulated him in advance,  added that he and others have  reviewed what went wrong on the side of Atiku and submitted that  the PDP Presidential candidate  has “re-discovered and re-positioned himself.”

    Read Also:Atiku, Secondus meet Obasanjo in Abeokuta

    The Ebora Owu made this known in his address at his residence within the sprawling Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) when Atiku and his entourage comprising the PDP National Chairman, Uche Second us, former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke,  Director – General, Atiku Campaign Organisation (ACO), Otunba Gbenga Daniel, the Bishop of the Catholic diocese of Sokoto, Rev. Father Matthew Kukah and renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Gunmi.

    Atiku’s visit is coming about 48 hours after an elder statesman, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, led a delegation of Afenifere leaders to the Ebora Owu, where the spokesman of the Socio – cultural organisation, Yinka Odunmakin hinted that the Yoruba race in Nigeria would support a presidential candidate with an agenda to restructure the nation’s flawed federation.

    So far, former Vice – President Atiku had continued to promise Nigerians that he would restructure the country within his first year in office if given the mandate to preside over the affairs of Nigeria.

    And Obasanjo’s voice is also considered very critical to the electoral fortune of any politician and it is generally believed that whoever earned his endorsement stand a better chance of getting national acceptance, and hitherto, the former President has been unsparing in portraying Atiku as undeserving of the office of Nigerian President.

    But after Thursday’s meeting Obasanjo’s position on Atiku changed, tilting towards helping him to win the 2019 presidential race against the incumbent, President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress(APC).

    “I am happy to welcome the distinguished leaders of goodwill who have led the PDP Presidential Candidate and my former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, to my humble abode and I welcome the Presidential Candidate himself.

    “Let me start by congratulating President-to-be, Atiku Abubakar, for his success at the recent PDP Primary and I took note of his gracious remarks in his acceptance speech that it all started here. Yes, when it started, it was meant for Atiku to succeed Obasanjo.

    “In the presence of these distinguished leaders of goodwill today, let me say it openly that we have reviewed what went wrong on the side of Atiku.  And in all honesty, my former Vice-President has re-discovered and re-positioned himself.

    “As I have repeatedly said, it is not so much what you did against me that was the issue but what you did against the Party, the Government and the country.

    “I took the stand I had taken based on the character and attributes you exhibited in the position you found yourself.  I strongly believe that I was right. It was in the overall interest of everyone and everything to take such a position.

    “From what transpired in the last couple of hours or so, you have shown remorse; you have asked for forgiveness and you have indicated that you have learnt some good lessons and you will mend fences and make amends as necessary and as desirable.

    “Whenever or wherever you might have offended me, as a Christian who asks for God’s forgiveness of my sins and inadequacies on daily basis, I forgive and I sincerely advise you to learn from the past and do what is right and it will be well with you.  Obviously, you have mended fences with the Party and fully reconciled with the Party.

    “That’s why today, you are the Presidential Candidate of the Party.  In addition to appreciating all that the Party has done for you, may I advise you to work together with all those who contested for the Party’s flag with you as a team for your campaign.

    “There are still areas, nationally and internationally, where you have to mend fences and make amends.  You will know how to handle what is already out and what may yet be put out by the opposition.  But, I am convinced that if you continue with the attitude that brought you here with these distinguished leaders of goodwill, with remorse and contrite heart, the rest of the coast within and outside the country can be cleared.

    “And if there is anything I can do and you want me to do in that respect, I will do.  I am sure with the right attitude for change where necessary, and by putting lessons learned by you to work, you will get the understanding, cooperation, support and mandate – all at the national level.

    “With Nigerians voting for you, it will mean that you secure their forgiveness and regain their confidence. It will be with the hope or assurance of a Paul on the road to Damascus Conversion. After all, change and conversion are of man. I believe that with a contrite heart, change is possible in everybody’s life and situation.

    “For me, relatively and of all the aspirants in the PDP, you have the widest and greatest exposure, experience, outreach and possibly the best machinery and preparation for seeing the tough and likely dirty campaign ahead through.

    “From what I personally know of you, you have capacity to perform better than the incumbent. You surely understand the economy better; you have business experience, which can make your administration business-friendly and boost the economy and provide jobs.

    “You have better outreach nationally and internationally and that can translate to better management of foreign affairs.  You are more accessible and less inflexible and more open to all parts of the country in many ways.  As Pastor Bakare, one-time running mate of the incumbent President said, “You are a wazobia man.”

    “And that should help you in confronting the confrontable and shunning nepotism.

    “As you know, along the road to where you are today, many leaders and ordinary people cooperated and overtly and covertly worked hard.  On your behalf, I thank them all.  May their coast continue to be expanded.

    “And when you become Nigerian President which, insha-Allah, you will be, remember what we did together in government – we ran an administration by Nigerians for all Nigerians where merit and performance count more than blood relationship, friendship or kith and kin.

    “Although some time and ground have been lost, you should endeavour to start from where we stopped and recover some lost ground, if not time.

    Please uphold truth, integrity, principles, morality and fight corruption, crimes and insurgency.

    “The fundamental law of the land, our constitution must be scrupulously defended. I make one demand and one demand on you today, I need you to say before God and man that you will always remain irrevocably committed to upholding ALL the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the whole country will remain your single indivisible constituency.

    “Constitutionalism, popular participation and inclusiveness are pre-conditions for reversing the deficits of the past three and half years. They will ensure abiding faith in our indivisibility, oneness and faith in the survival of all against none.

    “The fundamentals for our development, economic growth and progress are hard and soft infrastructure.  Remember to always give adequate places in your administration to our youth and women.

    “All the authorities involved with the preparation, all processes and conduct of the election must ensure that the election is free, fair and credible.

    “Once again, congratulations and I wish you well.  My distinguished brothers and leaders of goodwill, thank you for making this happen.  I will now count on you to encourage all hands to be on the deck to take Nigeria to the level God has created it to be – autopilot level. God bless you all and God bless Nigeria.”

     

  • 2019 elections: Fresh controversy trails INEC budget

    —As Senate committee approves N189.2bn

    NSA, DG DSS, IGP, others to defend budget Thursday

     

    Fresh controversy appears to be trailing President Muhammadu Buhari’s request of the approval of the sum of N189,207,544,893.13 for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of 2019 elections.

    This is coming as the Senate Committee on Appropriation on Wednesday resolved to give nod to the sum of N189.207 bn for the conduct of the elections as requested by the President.

    President Buhari in a letter dated 19th September, 2018 requested for the holistic consideration and approval of INEC and security agencies budget for the 2019 elections.

    The source of funding of the INEC’s 2019 election budget appears to be breeding discomfort among National Assembly members.

    Many senators asked consistently that the source of funding of the INEC budget should be clarified.

    While President Buhari said that the N189.207 billion should be sourced from the N500 billion the National Assembly inserted into the 2018 budget, the joint National Assembly committee on INEC recommended that the money should be pulled from the over N900 billion Service Wide Vote in the 2018 budget.

    A memo entitled “Submission of harmonised report of INEC 2019 general election supplementary budget estimates submitted to the Appropriation commission by Chairman, Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Suleiman Nazif and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Hon. Aishatu Jibril Dukku said:

    “INEC was allocated the sum of N143,512,529,455 only as recommended by Mr. President for its 2019 general elections and indicated as amount needed for 2018.

    “The balance of N45,695,015,438 billion was requested for appropriation under 2019 budget.

    “However, the INEC presented the entire sum of N189,207,544,893.13 for the committee’s consideration.

    “The committee after wide consultation with INEC decided on a budgetary allocation of the sum of N143,312,256,955.13 only.”

    Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriation, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje proposed at the meeting on Wednesday that the two letters by President Buhari should be combined “so that we give Mr. President what he wants.”

    The proposal was unanimously carried.

    Before the committee went into closed session to consider the seemingly knotty issue of the source of funding of the INEC budget, Goje announced that the committee resolved that N189,207,544, 893.13 as requested should be approved for INEC for the conduct of the 2019 elections.

    On security budget for the election, Goje said that the committee also resolved to invite the National Security Adviser, Director General Department of State Services, Commandant Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Inspector General of Police, Comptroller General Nigeria Immigration Service and heads of other security agencies connected with the 2019 elections to appear before the committee to defend their budgets.

    Goje emphasized that the N78,340,530535.00 for security agencies would be approved after the appearance of the heads of the agencies.

    President Buhari in the letter entitled Re: Request for virement/supplementary budget said: “You recall that in my letter dated 11th July, 2018, I requested for the kind consideration of the National Assembly for a virement under the 2018 Appropriation Act.

    “Part of this request was for the funding of the request made by the INEC and security agencies for the 2019 general elections.

    “In that letter, I indicated that INEC and the security agencies had indicated that their total funding requirement for the 2019 elections would amount to N242,445,322,600.00.

    “Of that amount, I have requested that N164,104,792,065,00 be accommodated in the 2018 budget, by way of virement within the 2018 Appropriation Act, whilst the balance of N78,340, 530,535.00, should be considered by the National Assembly as part of the 2019 budget.

    “When the Hon. Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, appeared before the Joint Committee of the National Assembly, set up to consider my request, he was informed that the National Assembly would be willing to consider accommodating the total amount required for the funding of the 2019 elections as part of the virement of the 2018 Appropriation Act, provided there was a specific request made by me.

    Read Also: Buhari, APC governors meet in Aso Rock

    “In the light of the current realities, and in order to ensure that the 2019 general elections are not affected by any delays in the passage into law of the 2019 budget, I accept this kind suggestion.

    “I therefore wish to formally request that the total amount of N242,445,322,600.00 requested by INEC and the security agencies be considered for inclusion in my virement request under the 2018 Appropriation Act.

    ”I look forward to your urgent consideration of this request to ensure that the 2019 general elections are properly conducted.”

    The implication of what Senate Appropriation committee did yesterday was that the entire INEC budget request would be accommodated as demanded by President Buhari.

    The only hiccup may be the source of funding of the budget.

  • Our fears for 2019 elections, by Secondus

    •’PDP will take back power’

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus yesterday expressed reservations about the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct free and fair elections next year.

    He said the umpire has become a willing tool in the hand of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to achieve its continuity agenda.

    Declaring open the PDP National Convention in Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, the national chairman alleged that APC and INEC were collaborating to undermine the electoral process, lamenting that a free and fair election is not part of the APC”s agenda.

    He urged the over 3,000 delegates who converged on the Adokiye Amasiemeka Stadium that PDP will work with global agencies to insist on transparent polls.

    Secondus highlighted the imperative of power shift in next year’s election that we will take back governance in 2018.”

    He urged delegates from 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to elect a competent flag bearer among the 12 aspirants to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari at the polls

    Secondus said the PDP will condUct a credible and transparent shadow poll to elect a competent candidate.

    Urging Nigerians to reject the APC at the poll, he said: President Buhari, it is time to go home. “Let us take back our country.”

    He said the police invitation to PDP chieftains, including Senate President Bukola Saraki and Senator Dino Melaye, following a protest against rigging in Abuja, smacked of intimidation of the opposition.

    The convention kicked off around 8.30 pm, following the directive by the Convention Committee, led by Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

    He explained that the process was delayed by the painstaking accreditation of delegates, which was time-consuming.

    But, the delay was also not unconnected with the late arrival of aspirants to the venue due to last minute consultations and horse trading.

    In his speech titled: “Nigeria, take back your country,” Secondus said the PDP performed better than the APC when it was in power.

    He alluded to the reforms across the sectors, the setting up of anti-corruption agencies, and political stability for 16 years.

    The Chairman said the reform process has transformed the PDP from election-winning vehicle into an agenda-setting institution.

    Secondus said the party now controls the two arms of the National Assembly, noting that the Senate President and House of Representatives Speaker have returned to the fold. He said in its bid to win power in 2019, PDP is working with other 40 opposition parties to fight the PDP.

    Reflecting on the state of the nation, Secondus said all is not well.

     

  • 2019: Ezekwesili calls on Nigerians to protect, exercise voting rights

    The Convener of the Red Card Movement and one-time Education Minister, Mrs Obiageli Ezekwesili, has called on Nigerians to come out in their numbers to vote and protect their votes, come 2019.

    Ezekwesili made the call at a one-day conference organised by ‘The Church Must Vote’ an NGO, on Monday in Abuja.

    She said that it was time for Nigerians to determine the quality of leadership they get through massive voting.

    The theme of the conference was ”The Church Stand Against Vote Buying and Selling, with the slug ”My Vote Is Not For Sale, My Vote Must Count”.

    Ezekwesili said that nobody should be comfortable to sit at home during the upcoming 2019 general elections, because it was time to get rid of the old order of politicians in the country.

    The former minister, an activist, said that the quality of democracy was dependent on quality of vote, and INEC must protect the vote of Nigerians.

    ”We must compel INEC to gather some of the cases of vote buying and selling that they have identified and take them to court.

    ”We must compel the Judiciary to act and not to defer judgement on such matters, because our democracy is under existential treat.

    ”Citizens must understand the power they possess, and through that power, you determine the quality of leaders to lead the country,” she said.

    Ezekwesili said that it was time to build a nation with leaders who were elected on the bases of character, competence and capacity.

    ”So, I support The Church Must Vote to say your vote must count because your vote does count, if it didn’t count, they will not pay for it.

    ”It is time to decide that nobody can pay for your vote because it is priceless, the people are dependent on the quality of leaders that they get for themselves.

    ”So, let our vote count; we must cry out if we see our vote being bought or stolen,” she said.

    Rev. William Okoye, General Overseer, All Christians Fellowship Mission, said that some people sell their votes due to hunger and starvation.

    Okoye stressed that it was better to endure hunger which was immediate in order to better their future, as any hunger that has hope does not kill.

    ”If you are hungry today and have hope that tomorrow will be better, you will be able to manage, so we are trying to send that hope to Nigerians through the church.

    ”We want Nigerians to know that the future will be bright if we endure the pains of now and ensure that we don’t sell our vote and use our vote to bring about the better future that we are expecting,” he said.

    Read Also: 2019: I’ll not surrender Ogun to ‘profiteers,’ Amosun vows

    Ikechukwu Nmor, Founder, The Church Must Vote, said that the voting right of every Nigerian was priceless, and as such, shouldn’t be traded for anything or any amount.

    “Nigeria is a great nation but with little performance; something must be done now to change things for the better.

    ”I am here to say I stand against vote buying and selling and no amount of money is enough to sell my vote and mortgage the future of our generation.

    ”It is important that the elections and the outcome reflect a representative and inclusive decision of all demographics, age, gender and beliefs,” he said.

  • 2019: Buhari’s candidacy has narrowed APC’s chances -PDP

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has narrowed its chances of winning the 2019 presidential election with President Muhammadu Buhari as its sole presidential candidate.

    In a statement Thursday by the spokesman of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the main opposition party observed that President Buhari has become grossly unpopular among Nigerians.

    Read Also:Buhari hiding under democracy to hold on to power – Atiku

    The party predicted crushing defeat for Buhari and the APC in the 2019 general elections, adding that the President and the APC avoided competitive primary election with high nomination fees.

    This, according to the PDP, has scared away good candidates within the APC for the 2019 presidential contest.

    The statement said, “Had President Buhari shed his desperation for power and allowed for internal democracy within the APC, particularly when it became clear that Nigerians across board have become averse to his re-election, due to his incompetence and insensitivity to the plight of the citizens, there would have been little hope for the APC.

    “In muzzling contest in APC and gleefully emerging a sole candidate, President Buhari has merely won a pyrrhic victory; a General without a troop, with no capacity to face a general election, as the army of stakeholders and the masses that supported him in 2015 have since left him because of his unfulfilled promises and many failures in governance.

    “Now that Mr. President has confirmed by his body language that he had no chance in a party he leads, how then can he stand a chance in the general elections where millions of Nigerians, who are suffering untold hardship because of his misrule are only waiting to deal him a blow with their votes?

    “Owing to Buhari’s incompetence, Nigerians’ purchasing power has become abysmally low, industries have wound up with attendant mass job losses, foreign direct investments have hit all time low, international partners have totally lost confidence in doing business with our compatriots, while this administration has no economic blueprint except borrowing.

    “Since President Buhari’s declaration to contest the 2019 election, true democrats and other well-meaning citizens have continued to leave the APC in droves to the repositioned PDP, which has now become the rallying platform for all Nigerians, in their collective quest for a new President among the array of very credible aspirants in the PDP.

    “Moreover, while it is settled that President Buhari is no match to any of our presidential aspirants, all indices points to his imminent defeat as the PDP remain committed to a credible, free, fair and transparent Presidential primary, where Nigerians will freely participate to throw up that President that will lead our nation to the path of unity, peace, good governance and economic prosperity for our people”.

  • Updated: Mimiko Declares for Presidency

    The former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has declared his interest to contest for Presidency in the 2019 general election.

    Mimiko made his declaration at the National Headquarters of the Labour Party with all National Executives and smaller political parties present in Abuja.

    Read Also:2019: APC faction, Oyinlola, Mimiko meet Ladoja for merger talk – News

    The two-term former Governor is contesting under the platform of the Labour Party.

    He vowed to frontally attack corruption, end killings, injustice and restructure the country with great support from the youth.

    According to him, “Restructuring is not about North vs South, Muslim vs Christian. Restructuring will empower every parts of Nigeria. Development will be unleashed in every part.”

    He added that, “There is enough landmass to feed Africa.”

    Mimiko assured women of inclusion and promised to work with any other party willing to join his political ambition.

  • PDP extends sale of nomination forms

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has extended the deadline for the collection and submission of nomination forms for all categories of elective positions.

    A statement Wednesday  by the spokesman of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the deadline has been extended to September 11, from the initial date of September 6.

    Read Also:2019: Five PDP governors seeking deal with Buhari

    The extension affects presidential, governorship and National Assembly positions, but the deadline for state assemblies remained September 6.

    The statement further stated that aspirants to the various positions are to submit their duly completed forms at the designated offices not later than Tuesday, September 11, 2018.

    The party enjoined members of the party, particularly aspirants to the various positions to be guided accordingly.

  • ‘PDP zoning VP to S/West, S/East will spell doom for party’

    Youth wing of the socio-cultutal group, Ohaneze Ndigbo on Monday condemned alleged plots by the People’s Democracy Party, PDP, to zone the Vice Presidential candidate to either the South-West or South-East.

    The youths warned that such move will spell doom for the party in the South East in next year’s general election vowing that it would be forced into dumping the party and channeling it’s support to any other party.

    Read Also:Crisis rocks PDP over automatic tickets for N/Assembly members

    Ohaneze Youths in a statement by its Deputy President General, Comrade Obinna Achuonye, and spokesman, Alex Osaka described the plot as barbaric and one which it will diligently oppose.

    “The attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has been drawn to a malicious report and nefarious plot that PDP had concluded plans to zone the Vice Presidency to South West or South-South over the South East quest to occupy the position in 2019.

    “This clandestine plot is barbaric, satanic and will never see the light of the day if it happens to be a reality. OYC insists that The National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, Mr. Uche Secondus should clarify this allegation immediately before Ndigbo especially the Youths take their destiny in our own hands.

    “We wish to remind the originators of this malicious plot against Ndigbo, that Ndigbo had paid their price in PDP since 1999, its morally wrong to return the Vice Presidency to either South West or South-South, after the two political zones had occupied the highest office of the Presidents in 1999 in the person of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and in 2010 in Dr Goodluck Jonathan, leaving Southeast out in the cold.”

    The youth group also described claims that South-East has the least number of voters as a complete falsehood.

    “Those claiming that South-East had the least voters registered should remember that Igbos are everywhere in Nigeria and from our records, In 19 Northern States, we have 12.5million votes and 5Million votes in the South West, and how can you compare South-East with only 5 States with South-West and South-South that had 6 States each?”

    The group urged the PDP to name one of the Governors from the South East as its Vice Presidential candidate.

    “It is also not true that South-East Governors are not interested in funding the party.  Have these Governors not been funding the party in their various states?

    “PDP should name one of these Governors the Vice Presidential candidate and see the massive support they will get across Nigeria.

    “If PDP will pick a newly elected Governor of Adamawa, Atiku Abubakar in 1999 as Vice Presidential candidate to Obasanjo, and also named a newly elected Governor of Bayelsa then in the person of Dr Goodluck Jonathan as the running mate to late Musa Yar’adua, then a sitting Governor of Kaduna to Nnamadi Sambo to Former President Jonathan as his Vice president, then PDP should also pick one the South East Governors as the Vice Presidential candidate in 2019”

    The group while urging the PDP leadership to urgently make clarifications on this issue to put the unease in the zone to rest, warned that its patience should not be taken for foolishness.

    “OYC warns and cautions those fifth columnists in PDP plotting to see PDP into extinction after 2019, never to take the patience of Ndigbo as foolishness and should not push Ndigbo to take political decision that will bury PDP in 2019.

    “OYC led by Isiguzoro will not hesitate to join forces with other Progressives to sink PDP if our sacrifices since 1999 should not be respected. The leadership of PDP should clarify these position before it’s too late,” the group said.

     

     

  • Crisis rocks PDP over automatic tickets for N/Assembly members

    Alleged offer of automatic tickets to serving members of the two chambers of the National Assembly for the 2019 elections, has sparked crisis between the national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the party’s intending aspirants across the states.

    The protesters, who stormed the party’s Abuja secretariat on Monday, demanded a level play field for all aspirants through free, fair and transparent primary elections across the states.

    Read Also:Tambuwal: I won’t quit PDP if I fail to get presidential ticket

    One of the protesting groups from Kogi State said offering automatic tickets to the lawmakers was in clear violation of the Electoral Act, the PDP constitution and the party’s guidelines.

    In an address read by Dr. Halimat Hamzat on behalf of the group, the aspirants insisted that they must be given equal opportunity to be voted for, either through delegates’ election or direct primaries.

    Dr. Hamzat said the party’s plot offer automatic tickets to the lawmakers was uncovered last week when an aspirant for the  House of Representatives visited the Abuja home of one of the party’s leaders, where he met a serving PDP senator.

    According to Hamzat, the senator was said to have told the aspirant that tickets for all the National Assembly positions had already been allocated to serving members of the Senate and House of Representatives.

    “As if that was not enough, Senator Dino Melaye met with all the members of the seven local governments in Kogi West on Friday and boasted that the issue of senatorial ticket had been settled by the highest organs of the party.

    “Melaye also told them that PDP’s senatorial ticket for Kogi West had already been given to him, even as someone who recently defected to the PDP. This is in total disregard for the interests, eligibility and qualification of other aspirants”, Dr. Hamzat said.

    The group expressed reservations about the possibility of the party leadership conducting free, fair and transparent primaries into the available senatorial and House of Representatives seats.

    The aggrieved aspirants reminded the national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus of his often repeated pledge to do away with impunity and imposition of candidates for elections.

    Although none of the national officers of the PDP was ready to speak on the matter yesterday, it was however gathered that offer of automatic tickets was one of the concessions the party made to serving lawmakers that recently defected to the PDP.

    But the aspirants cautioned against the move, urging the party against manipulation of the nomination process to avoid what they described as a looming fragmentation of the PDP across the states.

    “We the aspirants for legislative seats in the National Assembly on the platform of the PDP shall collectively and wholeheartedly work for the interest of the party and any candidate duly nominated through transparent primary election.

    “But should the party proceed with its pre-determined or manipulated primary elections to nominate any candidate, an implosion that would be inimical to the interest of the party might occur”, the aspirants vowed.”