Five big shots compete for PDP chairmanship

Ahead of the PDP state congresses slated for May 7, former sports minister Damishi Sango and Rep. Bitrus Kaze are among the top contenders for the chairmanship post in Plateau.

Also among those that had so far indicated interest in the race are the immediate past commissioner for works and housing, Mr Chris Hassan.

A top party source, who craved anonymity, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Jos on Tuesday that two other members, Messrs Jonathan Dabo and Mr Adi Kaba, were also interested in the seat.

The Secretary of the party in the state, Mr Pam Sale, said that the party was happy that “such high calibre of persons” were keen on providing leadership.

“The party has yet to start selling nomination forms, but we are impressed with the quality of those seeking the seat.

“The poster `war’ is already at play, but we shall hold a state executive council meeting on March 24 to zone the offices to minimise competition that might not be healthy for the future.

“What we have resolved to do is to allow people to test their popularity among members after which we shall sit down and examine how best to manage the situation,” he said.

On his ambition, Kaze, a former member of the House of Representatives who represented Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency, said that he was in the race to unite the party.

“I want to reconcile all the contending interests; I want the party to come together again as a family that is united to pursue one solid cause,” he told NAN.

He attributed the pary’s losses in the 2015 elections to perceived injustice and promised to be fair to all members seeking elective offices.

On his part, Sango said that he was seeking to lead the party so as to bring all `splinter groups’ to one fold.

“As an elder, I want to reconcile the various groups grieving inside the party and those that left in anger to seek solace in other political groups,” he said.

Also speaking with NAN, Hassan said that he was “dragged” into the race by members, who believed he had the experience to reconcile all the groups and heal wounds resulting from the outcome of the 2015 general elections.

“I want to build bridges; I want to lead my party into a future that is certainly bright.”

Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent who visited the state secretariat of the party in Jos on Tuesday observed that posters of aspirants had taken over every available space in the one-storey building.