The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Thursday, issued open cheque to defectors to vie for presidential slot and other political offices.
The party gave the leeway to Bukola Saraki, Senate President; Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State and former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to contest its presidential ticket ahead of the 2019 general elections.
This was even as all the presidential aspirants were present but former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was absent when the returnees stormed PDP headquarters for National Executive Committee, NEC.
Tambuwal, Kwankwaso and Saraki dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP a few days ago ostensibly to contest the party’s presidential ticket.
Speaking at the 81st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP Thursday in Abuja, Prince Uche Secondus, the party’s National Chairman, said the returnees have equal rights as the existing members.
“Three more governors and some ministers are coming to our fold, they (APC government) are not aware. Security and economy have collapsed; they are not aware. There are killings in different parts of the country, they are not aware. Until we reclaim power in 2019, they won’t be aware of anything,” Secondus said.
Secondus also warned against any plot to impeach Saraki.
Speaking at the event, Tambuwal said the PDP would resist any attempt to impeach Senate President Saraki, arguing that the law is clear in that regard.
Saraki urged all party leaders to return to their constituencies, open their arms and receive the numbers that would give the party victory in 2019.
Addressing newsmen at the end of the meeting, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP National Publicity Secretary said the NEC approved the amendment of PDP laws to be in tandem with the Not-Too-Young-to-Run law to allow youths’ participation in electoral contest.
He said the NEC discussed the nomination processes for primaries, but said the date for primaries and sale of nomination forms was yet to be fixed.
Highlight at the occasion was the announcement of Bukola Saraki as the party’s National Leader.
