EU observers to monitor PDP primaries next Saturday to ensure process is fair and transparent

EUROPEAN Union (EU) observers will monitor the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) presidential primary elections due to take place next weekend in Port Harcourt to ensure that the process is credible and meets up to international standards.

In a highly anticipated event, the PDP will hold its national convention in the Rivers State capital Port Harcourt next weekend where it will decide who will be its flagbearer in the 2019 presidential elections. Candidates seeking the party ticket include Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Aminu Tambuwal, Bukola Saraki, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Sule Lamido, Tanimu Turaki, Attahiru Bafarawa, Jonah Jang, Ahmed Datti and David Mark.

Whoever emerges as the PSDP candidate will face incumbent president Muhammadu Buhari of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in what is expected to be a two-horse race. In this high stakes game, the PDP primaries are seen as a prelude to what will happen in February's general elections, prompting international observers to take a keen interest in the process.

PDP spokesperson Kola Ologbondiyan, said the party was doing its best to ensure it had a peaceful and credible convention. He alleged that the ruling APC and the federal government were working assiduously to ensure that PDP is plunged into crisis but the party would avoid this as it is determined to succeed against all odds.

Mr Ologbondiyan added: “We will go into the convention as one indivisible party and we will produce a candidate that understand the problems of Nigeria and will be acceptable by Nigerians. The European Union has indicated an interest to monitor our primary as the party is doing everything humanly possible to have a primary that will be transparent, free, and fair and that will be acceptable to all the aspirants and the majority of Nigerians.

“The convention is going to be broadcast live on television for all Nigerians to watch the process. The party has put in place a process to ensure that no individual can influence the outcome of the convention.”

Last week, EU elections observers expressed concern over the Osun State governorship elections after it emerged that during a re-run, there were numerous irregularities. After Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola of the APC was pronounced the winner of the elections, the PDP has declared that it will go to court to challenge the results.