The acting chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Anambra, Okechukwu Asolo, has charged aspirants for elective offices to work hard towards primaries slated for next month.
Asolo made the call Monday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka, assuring that the party’s primaries would be transparent, free and fair.
“We intend to make our forthcoming primaries for House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate seats so flawless that winners and losers would applaud the process,’’ he said.
The chairman disclosed that a review of previous elections in Anambra showed that PDP’s failure to conduct credible primaries adversely affected its fortunes at elections.
Asolo said a lot of reforms had taken place in the State’s PDP since he took over as chairman.
“Before now we, we did not achieve hitch-free congresses, but recently under my watch, we conducted wards and local government congresses judged to be free by many,’’ Asolo stated.
He told NAN that the actualisation of the demand by the Southeast for the presidential office in 2023 was the only way through which the PDP could return to power at the centre.
“Southeast is the only zone that has yet to produce the President after close to 60 years and many Nigerians support the demand that the geopolitical zone be given the opportunity.
“If PDP picks its presidential candidate from the zone, it will be a wonderful calculation,’’ he said.
Asolo advised PDP stakeholders in the Southeast to close ranks, ahead of the 2023 general elections, as disunity had held the region back from clinching power at the center.