2015: Atiku Challenges Automatic Ticket For Jonathan

ident, Atiku Abubakar, has challenged and rejected the proposal by the Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) Board of Trustees, Tony Anenih that the party should give automatic ticket to President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 saying that same amounts to a constitutional breach. Mr Atiku said the PDP policy of ‘consensus arrangement’ and ‘adoption’ rather than transparent elections to produce candidates for all elective offices, including the presidency was not in the best interest of Nigeria.
In a statement by his Media Office in Abuja on Saturday, the former Vice President said the principle for which he opposes this unjust policy, which he described as a ‘travesty of democracy’ has not changed since then.
“My position remains that as far as PDP Constitution is concerned, any attempt to change the party’s rule to favour the President as a sole candidate in the event of his willingness to re-contest is unconstitutional. The contest should be open to all desiring to pursue an ambition on the platform of the PDP,” Mr Atiku said.
While acknowledging that President Jonathan is entitled to seek the party ticket in 2015, the former Vice President, however, insisted that President Jonathan should submit himself to a transparent and fair process just like any other party member, adding that foreclosing free and fair process of selecting its presidential candidate, might send the wrong message to Nigerians about the Peoples’ Democratic Party’s commitment to conduct free and fair elections.