Atiku seeks transparent primaries in PDP, pledges loyalty

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar yesterday charged the leadership of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to ensure very transparent, free and fair primary election.

Atiku, who was at PDP National Secretariat to formally inform the party leadership of his presidential ambition, however, pledged his loyalty to the party even if he loses the party’s presidential ticket.

The former vice president who commended the party for the transparent governorship election in Ekiti State, noted that if “the feat recorded during the governorship primary in Ekiti State (is repeated) in other primaries that will come, this party is destined to reclaim its role and retrieve power generally through our electoral process.”

Atiku recalled that what affected the performance of PDP in the last general elections was the way and manner primaries were conducted, but added that “with the precedent you have set, we are on our way to reclaiming power in 2019.

He said: “This meeting is not intended for anything other than my desire to seek the presidential ticket of the party. I am here to put you on notice and I believe that I should do this before reaching out to other organs of the party.

“I want to thank you and look forward to working with you. Whether as presidential candidate or not, you can always expect me to fulfill my obligations as a loyal member.”

PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus assured him of free, fair and transparent party primary.

Secondus noted that the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) was working to rebrand and reposition the party.

“We have removed all those impediments of imposition, of impunity, from the dictionary of the national headquarters of our party.

“Your Excellency, I promise you that there will be free, fair, transparent primaries. And as you noted that we did well in Ekiti State, we will do more because we have no choice so as to restore the confidence of Nigerians because Nigerians are yearning for the return of PDP. And the best we can offer is to be free and fair to all aspirants.

“Your Excellency, ‎the National Working Committee will conduct all elective primaries that will be acceptable because this country is at the brink of collapse,” he said.

Secondus, however, warned the Federal Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) against rigging the July 14 Ekiti State governorship election.

According to him, any attempt to rig the election might spell doom for the country.