A two time governorship aspirant in Edo State, High Chief Jacob Egietseme Idinye has said that there would be no automatic ticket for anyone in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the presidential race in 2027.
The PDP chieftain also repudiated a member of the National Executive Committee of the party and Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi who suggested that the party’s ticket would be served to a former President on a silver platter.
Idinye added that Abdullahi only expressed his personal opinion which was not biding on the party or any of its willing, serious and loyal aspirants.
Speculation has been rife that the former President who lost the 2015 presidential election to Muhammadu Buhari was plotting to put his political strength to test again in the coming general election on the platform of PDP.
Idinye made this stern reaction on Saturday in a chat with some senior political correspondents at Transcorp hotel, Abuja.
According to the Etsako politician:
“There is no automatic ticket in PDP, there is no section of the constitution of our party that states that a former President is entitled to automatic ticket, we are under democracy and democratic system of governance, so anybody who is qualified in the land, has the right to contest for any office under the party. We wait when the time comes in the PDP.
“Well, 2027 is still far ahead and as a politician, it is uncalled for anybody to think that the PDP ticket would be served as a gift, it must be merited and contested for. Our party rules and extant provisions are very clear and that still remains sacrosanct.
“Let no one deceive himself, the truth is that PDP would surely conduct a primary election to determine who will emerge as our presidential standard bearer for the 2027 presidential encounter in a most transparent and credible manner, that is our tradition right from inception and nothing can change that. The reality is that power can never be served as a early morning bread and tea, power is not served a la carte, you must wrestle for it and that is the beauty of democracy.
“Let us learn from what just happened in United States, which is our standard and model in the practice of constitutional democracy; the former President of that country, Donald Trump emerged as the Republican candidate in the last presidential election after contesting rigorously for the ticket through a party primary election, and thereafter he went round the United States and campaigned, in the end he overwhelmingly won the election. Look at his counterpart in Democratic Party, Kamala Harris who was literally hand-picked, we can all see what eventually happened to her, the rest is now history. You cannot circumvent or manipulate democratic tenets and not get backlash.
“However, here in Nigeria too, those who are placed in position of authority must be properly guided in their utterances. Year 2027 election is for serious-minded ones who have shown strong commitment and loyalty to the party both in actions and in words. I have no problem with anyone aspiring for the coveted seat in the country, but the right and proper thing must be done at all times and in all places. All aspirants must undergo the nomination processes outlined by the PDP constitution.
“PDP must always stand up against indiscipline and anti-party activities that had continued to weaken its fold since it lost power in 2015. While some believe that anti-party activities should be a norm, the party leadership should not condone it any longer, so as to brighten PDP chances in 2027.
“I am not averse to reconciliation, but I am only averse to reconciliation without setting boundaries. If we don’t set boundaries, that same thing will happen again. PDP must be reformed on the merit objectivity, impartiality, thoroughness, fairness and discipline and I have no doubt that the party will win in 2027″, Idinye stated.
