Mr Markus Gundiri, governorship aspirant on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa state, in Nigeria’s north east, has dismissed reports that newcomer, Malam Nuhu Ribadu is the anointed candidate of the party.

He said the report about endorsing Ribadu, EFCC’s former boss, as a consensus candidate of the PDP, was not true.

Gundiri, who was the candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, against sacked Governor Murtala Nyako in 2011 said all aspirants should be given equal opportunity to test their popularity through primary election. He made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, and called for free and fair primary election to determine the party’s candidate for October 11.

Nuhu Ribadu: rival dismisses automatic ticket

Warning against the imposition of candidate on the people, he said that opting for a consensus candidate against the wish of the people would undermine the efforts made at reconciling members and argued that the primary election would encourage fair play and equity in the party.

“I don’t believe that candidates should be selected on the basis of how long they have stayed in the party. I sincerely believe that there should be no segregation. There should be a level playing ground for all of us. Our ultimate priority should be how to build Adamawa State.’’

Gundiri said the defection of Ribadu from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP was healthy for the development of democracy in the state.

He said that those opposed to the governorship ambition of Ribadu were not true democrats and were against the growth of democracy.

Gundiri said the entry of Ribadu in the governorship race was a welcome development and in the interest of the PDP in the state.

“I think the number of people vying for the governorship position in the forthcoming election is a sign of democracy in action in Adamawa state.

“I am not one of those saying Ribadu should not come into the PDP, his coming into the party will increase our population and that is good for any political party’’, he said.

He condemned the threat issued to President Goodluck Jonathan by the Northern Elders Forum’s to produce the abducted Chibok schoolgirls or forget his 2015 presidential re-election bid.

He described the October ultimatum to the president as a huge joke, stressing that no group can threaten him to perform his duties.

Gundiri called on security agencies to query the alleged comments by the elders, noting that such comments should not be handled carelessly.

“You know that people do joke sometimes; it is not the President that abducted the girls, so nobody should try to relate their release to his presidential ambition.

“I will suggest that security agencies should query such politicians. This type of condition should not be placed before the President because he did not abduct the girls.’’

He urged Nigerians to prepare adequately ahead of the 2015 polls by participating in all activities leading to the elections like the voter registration and others.

He commended stakeholders for the smooth conduct of the ongoing nationwide collection of permanent voter card, stressing that the exercise was a prelude to a smooth 2015 polls.

Gundiri urged INEC and other stakeholders to replicate the feat achieved during the Ekiti and Osun polls in Adamawa.

No fewer than 12 candidates have indicated interest to run for the governorship election in Adamawa state.