Few days after the Board of Trustees chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, advocated automatic second term ticket for President Goodluck Jonathan and state governors, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, has said he would challenge the decision in a court of law if adopted by other PDP members and the National Working Committee.
In a statement by his media office on Saturday, Atiku said he would stand against any kind of “consensus arrangement” and “adoption” He said he would support transparent elections that will produce candidates for all elective offices.
He recalled that he had gone to court severally to challenge such policy and that the courts ruled that it was alien to the PDP and Nigerian constitutions.
He 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,” Atiku said.
He admitted that Jonathan can seek the party’s ticket in 2015, but maintained that, he should submit himself to a parent and fair process, just like any other party member.
By abandoning free and fair process for selection, its presidential candidate, Atiku said the PDP might be sending the wrong message to Nigerians about its commitment to conduct free and fair elections for the entire country.
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