Despite adopting Jonathan, PDP blocks states from choosing sole guber candidates Just weeks after adopting President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole candidate for the 2015 election, effectively shutting out other candidates, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has warned its state chapters against embracing that example in choosing its governorship candidates. The party said the closing date for sale of the party nomination forms for the various elective offices remained October 30, and warned against the states against adopting any governorship aspirant. In a statement by its spokesperson, Olisa Metuh, on Thursday, the PDP said only its national leadership was mandated by its constitution to adopt a candidate. The party’s National Executive Committee, NEC, had last month adopted President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole candidate for the February 2015 election. The president is yet to declare his intention to contest. The statement said the National Working Committee, NWC, had noted the activities of some persons and groups supporting some aspirants for the 2015 general election at the state level. It said while the party would not stop individuals, groups or communities from endorsing persons of their choice, “the national leadership wishes to restate in the strongest possible terms that elected party officials at the state, local government and ward levels must not be involved in such, as they must remain as unbiased umpires in the nomination process.” It added, “For the avoidance of doubt, only the National Executive Committee, NEC, as an organ of the party can officially endorse a candidate under the PDP constitution. All party officials at all levels are expected to be guided by this.” On the sale of nomination forms, the party insisted on the October deadline, stating, “All aspirants are therefore advised to adhere strictly to this directive as the party shall not extend the sales beyond this date.” It added, “The NWC urges all aspirants to carefully study the guidelines and party’s code of conduct for elections and ensure that they conduct their campaigns accordingly as the PDP shall not condone any aberration or abuse of its internal electoral process.” Meanwhile, PDP has asked aides of officials elected on its platform to desist from making comments relating to the party’s administration and its official positions on issues. “The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has noted the rush with which certain aides of elected officials make comments relating to the administration of the party and its official position on issues,” a statement by Mr. Metuh said on Thursday. “This is absolutely unacceptable and will not be tolerated as it is capable of conveying wrong messages regarding the position of the party especially on nomination issues. “Consequently, the PDP hereby issues a strong warning to all such aides to forthwith desist from making comments to explain the actions of the party or its official position on any matter whatsoever,” the party said. The PDP said all aides of elected officials should, by the directive, restrict themselves to the confines of their official briefs and refrain from trying to get involved in party administration.
Posted on: Sat, 04 Oct 2014 22:15:25 +0000
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