The leading opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a lot of troubles not only at the centre where it is trying to manage primaries at the national level, but in many states where probably because of the euphoria of receiving defectors from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the national leadership of the party under Prince Uche Secondus, made mouth-watering offers, including automatic tickets to some members ahead of the 2019 elections.
However, the Bauchi State chapter of the PDP has ruled out automatic ticket for aspirants seeking various elective offices in the 2019 general elections, the situation is dicey in the state following the defection of some notable personalities.
The state PDP spokesperson, Yayanuwa Zainabari, said there is no automatic ticket for anyone. He said that, the party has also not offered automatic ticket to serving members of the National Assembly who defected from the APC. Senators Nazif and Hamma Misau, as well as Speaker Dogara have all joined the PDP.
However, all the defectors have other contenders vying for the seat they are occupying and have to go through primaries to get the tickets.
At present, Dogara is being challenged for the Bogoro, Dass and Tafawa Balewa Federal constituency ticket by Kefas Magaji, John Emmanuelan Nuhu Dallaji and Barrister Gshion Daniel Danna.
Salisu Zakari Ningi is also being challenged for his Ningi/Warji Federal Constituency ticket by Baba Idi Adamu. Senator Misau is being challenged for the PDP Bauchi Central senatorial district ticket by Abdullahi Gwaram and Abdulrazak Nuhu Zaki.
The only PDP member in the Bauchi State House of Assembly who represents Bogoro Constituency, Markus Makama, is also being challenged by one of Dogara’s aide, Iliya Habila, who recently joined the PDP.
