As the tempo over who gets the presidential ticket of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) heightens, the party through its National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga M. Tukur, has declared that nobody has been anointed to get the ticket.
The party, in the past two weeks, has been abuzz following speculations that former president and former chairman of the board of trustees of the party, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has endorsed governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido and his Rivers State counterpart, Rotimi Ameachi (as running mate) to take over from President Goodluck Jonathan.
While Jonathan has not opening declare intention to run for a second term, those opposed to his emergence cite his body language as well as certain declarations by his aides that he is legally qualified to run for the office as a clear indication of his interest to seek another term.
More still, two of his staunch supporters and close confidants, former information minister and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark and leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, Alhaji Asari Dokubo, have at various forum said Jonathan will run for the office by 2015, warning that all hell will break lose if any attempt is made to stop him.
But the party Chairman, Tukur has described the flurry of speculations of an anointed candidate as speculative and complete false.
Tukur added that the Party is presently pre-occupied and committed to fulfilling its electoral mandate and have no time for the politics of 2015.
According to a release signed by Tukur he said “my attention has been drawn to media speculations that our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has anointed aspirants ahead of general elections in 2015. This information is speculative and completely false.
“I therefore, use this medium to call on party members, supporters and the entire Nigerians to disregard sensationalism as we move quickly to carry out reforms that will justify our existence as a ruling Party. This allegation is false and our Party has not anointed any persons for any position.
“For the time being, the Party’s attention has been devoted to critical reforms that will guarantee quality life to our people, reconciliation in all aspects of our political life and instilling internal democracy in our political process.
“While we appreciate the concern and goodwill of the Nigerian people, we acknowledge the fact that reforms in any Country come with pains, anxiety and apprehensions. This is a necessary sacrifice confronting us as a nation today.
“This apprehension may have been responsible for the pre-emptive speculation of pre-mature endorsement of aspirants ahead of the 2015 elections.
“Democracy is not all about elections and I enjoin all Nigerians to make meaningful contributions towards the political, economic and social development of our Country.
“We in the Peoples Democratic Party are presently pre-occupied and committed to fulfilling our electoral mandate and have no time for the politics of 2015. The need for rapid infrastructural development and the welfare of our people is, and will be our major concern in the years ahead.
“I thank the electorate and all elected officials for their choice of the Peoples Democratic Party and wish to assure them that the confidence reposed in our Party can never be misplaced” he said.