Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have secured the approval of the Presidency to enable them control the political structures in their respective states ahead of the 2015 general elections.
The trend will allow the outgoing governors pick their successors and also go for any office of their choice provided they ensure maximum support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid.
Blank NEWS Online understands that President Jonathan has directed the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, to hand over the political structures in the respective states to the governors.
The new development, which has effectively strengthened the governors against all other contenders in their respective states, will allow the governors to have their way and also give the President 100 per cent support during his election.
The Presidency is said to have been advised by political strategists to reverse the position of the National Working Committee headed by Muazu to win the support of the governors, described as the key determinants of his victory.
The presidential directive is therefore an unhindered freedom to the governors to decide on the delegate lists of their respective states to be used in choosing candidates for the different elections slated for next year.
President Jonathan insists that “The PDP constitution as currently practiced gives a lot of room for the governors to influence the election of the president.
“So, if a governor who claims to support you cannot give you at least 70 per cent of the votes, then you should know that that governor does not mean well for you.”
In spite of the new directive from the Presidency, a host of the aspirants are upbeat on their chances ahead of the November 29 governorship primaries, if the number of those who have bought the PDP nomination forms is anything to go by.
It could also be recalled that the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, announced that the NWC had extended the deadline for the sale of nomination forms for all categories of aspirants, which according to the party, ought to have closed on October 30.
In Delta State, those who want Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan’s job and have purchased the PDP forms include:
Tony Chucks Obuh
Victor Ochei
Senator Ifeanyi Okowa
Ovie Omoh-Agege
Professor Sylvester Monye
Senator Emmanuel Aguariavwodo
Elder Godsday Orubebe
Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi
Mrs Esther Uduehi
Andrew Warri
Ndudi Godwin Elumelu
Opone Johnson Ossai
Dr. Akwara Oghenovo
Prince Sam Obi
Ndidi Rose Ofonwe Abunam
Ngozi Olejeme
David Edevbie
Godswill Monday Obielum
Charles Chukwuemeka
Chief Gabriel Chukwuma Oyibode
