Notwithstanding the series of defection of its members to the opposition, incumbent members of the National Assembly willing to re-contest in 2015 will not have automatic tickets, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said on Tuesday.
Confirming the development, Chairman of the party in Zone 3 of Kaduna State, Mr. Joseph Gumbari said no one will have an automatic ticket, as incumbents and their challengers will all have to navigate the usual process for the party’s ticket.
There had been reports recently that some federal lawmakers were insisting on automatic tickets for the 2015 race as compensation for not defecting, like many others, to the All Progressives Change (APC).
“No one can blackmail the PDP into making such concessions; we shall give the party’s tickets to only those who deserve it. Those who have performed and are still popular should have nothing to fear”, Gumbari, a former member of the House of Representatives, said.
“Giving automatic tickets would kill the PDP. There are many lawmakers today who cannot visit their constituencies for fear that they could be attacked by their constituents. Such people have abandoned the people and have offered nothing to better their lots. You cannot impose such people on the electorate because that will endanger our chances”.
He therefore advised those demanding for automatic tickets to forget, and rather channel their energies into improving the party’s image and popularity.
