- Former immigration CG, David Paradang, indicated interest in picking the PDP to challenge Senator Dariye’s reported third term ambition in 2019
- Seven other PDP members have also signalled their interest in Dariye’s seat
- Senator Dariye, who went to the Senate on the ticket of the PDP, defected to the APC in 2016
Former comptroller general of immigration, David Paradang, is among the eight members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aspiring to replace Chief Joshua Dariye (APC/Plateau Central), at the Senate in the forthcoming 2019 elections.
Dariye, a former Plateau governor, who went to the Senate on the ticket of the PDP, defected to the APC in 2016.
However, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Dariye, who was first elected in 2011, is already bracing up to seek a third term.
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At a meeting of the Plateau central zone of the PDP on Tuesday, March 6, in Pankshin, the party’s vice chairman for the zone, Ben Shiknugul, said that eight persons had indicated interest in picking the PDP ticket to challenge Dariye.
“Eight persons have so far indicated interest; more may come in future, but these eight have officially registered their interest in the race,’’ the official said.
Shiknugul named the aspirants to include the former comptroller general of immigration, David Paradang, and three former speakers of the Plateau House of Assembly – Prof. Dakum Shown, Emma Goar and Istifanus Mwansat.
Also in the race is Senator Sati Gogwim, displaced by Dariye in 2011, Alex Molwus, Dariye’s former chief of staff, Simon Ngwan, former Kanke local government chairman, and Isaac Wadak, a former permanent secretary in the Plateau civil service.
NAIJ.com gathered that that the eight aspirants, who later addressed the party members, formally intimated them of their interest and solicited for support.
Shiknugul also told the party members that two persons from the zone had indicated interest in the governorship race, and named them to include Prof. Shedrach Best, former secretary to the Plateau state government.
Also interested, he said, is Caleb Mutfwang, former chairman of Mangu local government.
On the two House of Representatives seats in the zone, the party official said that three people had indicated interest in challenging Rep. Timothy Golu who currently represents Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam constituency.
He said that no one had so far indicated interest in challenging Rep Solomon Maren, the PDP member representing Mangu/Bokkos constituency.
Shiknugul, who promised to ensure a level playing ground for all aspirants, however, advised them to consult among themselves toward trimming the number so as to minimise the competition.
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“For now, the competition is stiff which is good for the party, but we have to work out a modality where we can seek some concessions so as to build a more cohesive and united front ahead of the final elections,’’ he said.
NAIJ.com previously reported that the PDP in Edo state said President Mohammed Buhari should not to believe the promise by the state Governor Godwin Obaseki that the state would deliver 1.2 million votes to him in the 2019 general election.
The PDP vowed that it would defeat the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the election by securing 65% of the votes.
The state chairman of the PDP Dan Orbih said the promise of 1.2million votes made by Obaseki was empty and unrealistic.
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Source: Naija.ng