2015: PDP Members Pick Interest And Nomination Forms

race to the 2015 election is already heating up as some aspirants for various political offices stormed the national headquarters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to pick up expression of interest and nomination forms. One of the aspirants and the Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, Mulikhat Akande-Adeola, who boasted of the support of her constituents, said that the PDP is ready to reclaim the South West from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). “We have won Ekiti State, which means all the members will be coming from PDP this time around. In Oyo State, even though we don’t have a governor, we have five members and the number is going to double now”, she affirmed. In other south western states like Ogun State, she noted that “a lot of members have decamped and you have Ondo State where Governor (Olusegun) Mimiko has joined PDP. So automatically all the seven members will become PDP”, she boasted. Akande-Adeola, who indicated her interest in being the Speaker of the House, also added, “The so called losses are now gains for us.” Meanwhile, PDP members from Akwa Ibom State have called on the South South Integration and Reconciliation Committee of the party to address grievances threatening transparent elections in the state. Speaking in Abuja, the members said that it has become necessary that the party is united before the primary elections commence. The Youth Leader of Akwa Ibom State chapter of PDP, Mr Leo Ekpeyong, noted, “It is important to urge the committee to be just and fair because all the issues raised, ranging from the illegal seizure of the registration register of the party to the aspect of imposition…these are the main issues.” The Integration and Reconciliation Committee sat last week with members from the South South zone but is yet to submit its recommendations to the leadership of the party. The National Organising Secretary of the party, Mr Abubakar Mustapha, however, has indicated the party’s interest to conduct a transparent primaries. He noted, “You see people coming here in a very festive mood, signifying that PDP is a party to beat. “We are doing our very best to make sure that the exercise of the primaries is transparent, free and fair”, he stated.