ILORIN – The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara on Sunday assured its aspirants for various elective offices in 2015 in the state of free, fair and transparent primaries.
The State Chairman of the party, Mr Iyiola Oyedepo, gave the assurance in Ilorin while speaking with newsmen.
He promised not to manipulate the electoral process in favour of any aspirant.
Oyedepo said the multiplicity in the number of aspirants in the party showed that vibrancy and potency existed in the state PDP.
He added that such development was good and healthy in a democratic process.
Oyedepo said that currently 14 gubernatorial aspirants had indicated interest in vying for the governorship position while 11 of them had paid for the nomination forms.
He said the party had five cardinal programmes, including agriculture, education, health, infrastructure development and empowerment of youths.
Oyedepo said that PDP would come out stronger, vibrant and more united after the party’s primaries.
The chairman said that the party had not zoned the governorship slot to any senatorial district.
“Any of the aspirants that would ensure our victory would be supported, irrespective of his ethno-religious background,” he said.
He added that the party would avert a repeat of the incident of thuggery during the last congress.
Oyedepo said security operatives had assured the party of their presence at all its activities.
He dismissed claims in some quarters that some powers that be had an anointed gubernatorial candidate for the state.
The PDP chairman, who was a one-time Commissioner in the state and former member of the House of Assembly, said the fee being paid by aspirants was too high.
He said that such would not allow for best candidates to emerge.
According to him, the defection of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, to the APC will not affect the winning chances of the party.
Oyedepo announced that the date for the collection of intent or nomination forms in the party had been extended by one week and expected to close on Nov. 6. (NAN)
