The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue has said that 33 aspirants had indicated interest to contest the governorship election on the platform of the party in 2015.
The Benue Chairman of PDP, Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi at the weekend that the party’s primaries must be free and fair. Agbo said all members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party had resolved to ensure that all candidates were given equal opportunities.
“33 aspirants have so far indicated their interest to contest the party’s governorship ticket in the forthcoming election. Our primaries must be transparent, free and fair for contesting party members. We members of the State Working Committee have resolved to provide a level-playing ground for all candidates.
“The executive committee members in the state have so far exhibited exemplary leadership qualities toward ensuring that the PDP produces an acceptable candidate that would win the hearts of our electorate.
“We have deliberately removed ourselves from the process to make it free for all candidates. Above all these, all our aspirants have so far abided with the party’s guidelines as they go about the consultations process”, the party leader said.
Agbo said all the aspirants were good, adding that they would all defend the party “very well” if elected. He said the PDP was the only party in the county capable of delivering the dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
He commended President Goodluck Jonathan for appointing many sons and daughters of the state into top positions and into his cabinet.