The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr Iyorchia Ayu, has assured aspirants of the party for the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State of a free and fair governorship primary, next Tuesday.
Addressing a closed-door meeting of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) with the six governorship aspirants of the party, Ayu saod the primary election is going to hold as scheduled on March 8, adding that the PDP has prepared very well for a level-playing field for all aspirants.
The PDP national chairman reaffirmed the clearance and clean bill of health given the six aspirants and emphasised that the party leadership sees no reason or justification to disqualify any aspirant after the due dilligence already conducted on them by two committees of the party.
Ayu was reported to have frowned at attacks and insinuations against the party leadership, but insisted that he and his team will never serve special interests other than decisions of the party members and delegates, as expressed in a free and fair contest.
On the recently-conducted adhoc congress, Ayu reportedly told the aspirants that the party has confidence in Governor Ahmadu Fintiri who chaired the congress committee, declaring that, so far, there is no basis for calls in certain quarters for the cancellation of the ward congress.
He admonished the aspirants to go home and canvass for votes among delegates and assured that the party will ensure a truly fair and free contest.
The PDP national chairman however noted that the party leadership will never be used by anybody to manipulate the governorship selection process.
He urged the aspirants to support any of them who emerged on Tuesday, warning that the party expected all contestants to be sportmanlike and place the interest of the party above selfish agenda.
Present at the meeting were the six Osun PDP governorship aspirants, including Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, Hon Sanya Omirin, Mr Dele Adeleke and Mr Dotun Babayemi.