2015: PDP To Disqualify Aspirants Who Offer Bribes To Delegates

As politicians prepare for the 2015 general elections, the PDP says it will disqualify any aspirant caught offering bribes to delegates to secure its ticket to contest electoral office.

Gumbari, the party’s Zone 3 chairman in Kaduna State, stated this in an interview  in Jos on Monday.

He said a special committee had been set up to monitor the activities of aspirants and report any unwholesome attitude to the party headquarters.

“We have resolved to field only popular, acceptable and saleable candidates in 2015 and shall not tolerate anyone sharing money or using any other dirty tactics to influence the primary elections,” he said.
“The sanctions for bribe-offering aspirants will be very severe; the minimum is disqualification from the race.

“The party can also suspend or expel the erring party from its fold so as to cleanse the system,” added Gumbari, a two-term member of the House of Representatives.
He advised rich party faithful to use such money to develop the party and strengthen it to win elections.
“Wealthy members should rather contribute toward a stronger fold so that PDP will be repositioned to continue to be the leading political outfit that it already is. Such monies, if contributed to the pool, will be receipted.

“When one is identified as being an asset to the party, it can help the chances of getting the ticket because members will see you as one that is committed to ensuring progress.
“You cannot hide your money and use it to buy delegates because PDP has since passed that stage,” he said.
He said the state chapter of the party had initiated periodic meetings during which party officials would be sensitised to the need to de-emphasise the greed for monetary rewards and promote service to the people.
“Again, we have seen many instances where rich aspirants are rejected in spite of their money. We have also seen many instances when so-called anointed aspirants are thrown out by the delegates.
“We must encourage more of that to instill discipline, as well as internal democracy and cohesion in the people,” he said.