PDP Chieftain Warns Against Imposition of Candidates Ahead of Congresses

Lazarus Atu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has urged the party’s leadership in Abia State to avoid imposing unpopular candidates and to allow internal democracy to thrive ahead of the State and National Congress.

This appeal follows the recent zoning of the state chairmanship position of the PDP to Abia North by the State Party Caucus, which met on June 1, 2024, in Umuahia.

In an interview with journalists on Saturday in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, Atu stressed the importance of adhering to democratic principles in the upcoming congresses.

“We all know that the hallmark of internal democracy is that candidates should emerge from the process approved by the Constitution of the party and the Electoral Act of our country.

Anything outside that suggests that there has been some form of imposition is abnormal, evil, unethical, condemnable and does not create room for democracy to mature,” Atu stated.

Atu further emphasized that imposing candidates in elections results in questionable candidacies and violates the party’s laws.

He argued for a transparent nomination process unless aspirants unanimously agree on a candidate.

“Intimidating and coercing party faithful to throw their support behind one of the aspirants is a false, dangerous and malicious narrative that is capable of destroying the very foundation of our unity and collective aspiration,” he said.

He vowed that genuine PDP members in Abia State would not condone any form of imposition.

“If not for anything to show the world that in our lifetime, we fought against impunity and the enemies of mankind.

We believe in the unity and cohesion of our great party but such belief should not be at the expense of our freedom, liberty, free will and progress,” Atu added.