TheCable

Former President Goodluck Jonathan says he has no preferred candidates in the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scheduled for Saturday.

Ninety-two aspirants have signified their intention to run for 23 offices in the convention.

In a  statement issued on his behalf by Ikechukwu Eze, his spokesman, the former president expressed optimism that
the convention would produce positive outcomes which would help “the party regains its pride of place in the affairs of the nation”.

“Ahead of tomorrow’s scheduled national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) former President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan wishes to extend his felicitations to the candidates, delegates, convention committee members, as well as all other party members, for their interest and participation at this important congress,” the statement read.

“The former president is pleased with the dedication and enthusiasm of all party members towards building a strong PDP and wishes all participants successful deliberations, as they seek to freely elect members of the national working committee, that will lead the party for the next four years.

“Dr. Jonathan is impressed with the level of preparations for the convention, especially with the number of the candidates and the spread and vibrancy of the campaigns, which has established a new paradigm for intra-party elections, in the country.

“As the father of the party, ex-President Jonathan has no preferred candidates for any of the positions, and is prepared to work with all those that will emerge as members of the new NWC, to ensure that the
party regains its pride of place in the affairs of the nation.

“Contrary to speculations and permutations by some interest groups, Dr. Jonathan has never discussed or plotted with others against the ambition of any of the candidates, as is being falsely reported by those who are adept at spreading negative stories against the immediate past president.”