…Says Party Remains Best Alternative
The Saminu Turaki (SAN)-led faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State on Monday presented certificates of return to its candidates for the 2027 National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections, expressing confidence that the party remains the most credible alternative for Nigerians.
The certificates were presented at the party’s state secretariat in Jos to candidates for the three senatorial seats, eight House of Representatives constituencies and 24 State House of Assembly constituencies.
Addressing party faithful during the ceremony, the Plateau State Chairman of the Turaki Camp Chief. Raymond Dabo described the event as a significant milestone in the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections.
He said, “Today’s event is not only symbolic but unique for the PDP family in Plateau because it marks the beginning of our journey towards winning all elections in 2027.”
Dabo disclosed that no fewer than 28 aspirants were contesting for the party’s governorship ticket, noting that three of them were former state chairmen of the PDP.
The chairman also dismissed concerns over the internal crisis rocking the party, insisting that the Saminu Turaki-led leadership remained firmly in control of the state chapter.
“I can assure you that the PDP under the Turaki-led leadership is stable. I urge all party loyalists to disregard misinformation being spread against the leadership because the party is stronger than ever”.
He further revealed that former President Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, whom he described as the party’s presidential flag bearer, would soon visit Plateau State.
Dabo urged all candidates to conduct issue-based campaigns and avoid personal attacks or character assassination when the official campaign season begins.
Also speaking during the certificates presentation the PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Sunday Garba Biggs, expressed optimism that the party would participate fully in the 2027 elections and emerge victorious.
“We are on the right track. The realities of governance in Plateau today present a great opportunity for the PDP to reclaim power in 2027, he said.
Biggs pledged to provide purposeful leadership if elected governor, saying he possessed the intellectual capacity to transform governance and improve the lives of Plateau residents.
“By the grace of God, if given the opportunity to serve, I will change the narrative of governance because Plateau is PDP and PDP is Plateau”.
He also urged all candidates who emerged victorious from the party’s primaries to remain magnanimous in victory by accommodating other members and working together to achieve the party’s collective goal.
“We are here to salvage Plateau people. Therefore, we must remain united and determined to achieve that objective,” he added.
While acknowledging the fact that there are internal issues in the party, Biggs said that the issues only affected the national headquarters, but there is cohesion in the state chapter of the party.
He said, “I want to state here, as a matter of fact, that there are no issues within the PDP. It’s a family thing; there is no issue of leadership at the state level.
“The only issue we have is at the federal level, where there seem to be two factions. But all the legal processes have been finished. So we are just waiting for the administrative action of INEC, where INEC is supposed to respect and implement the decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Immediately that is done, the PDP will come back stronger than ever before.
Asked whether INEC would adhere to the ruling of the Supreme Court, Biggs said, “Definitely, there is no way INEC can refuse that order. We are presently in court to obtain an order of mandamus compelling them to act. And definitely by the grace of God, INEC, as a federal institution, must respect the laws of the land. If they don’t do that, perhaps it’s a recipe for anarchy.
