Jonathan chides PDP, others on rift over running mate

From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

Former president, Goodluck Jonathan, has expressed disappointment over the rift that has characterised the selection of running mates to presidential and governorship candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties.

He advocated a constitution review that would ensure presidential and governorship candidates pick their running mates before the primaries to reduce the rancour and tension.

Speaking as chairman at the launch of a book by Governor of Kano State, Umar Ganduje, Jonathan lamented a situation in some states that deputy governors cannot sign an approval of N100,000.

“The issue of deputy governors and governors is actually something we all need to ponder. I remember when we were elected in 1999, there were some states that the relationship between the governor-elect and deputy governor-elect became frosty even before the inauguration.

“Even if you look back in the current political dispensation, while we are going in for elections, I remember when I was appointed running mate to Yar’Adua, after the primaries that night, the following morning, I was nominated to be a running mate. But if you look at some of the parties, it took a very long time to select running-mates, and sometimes after selecting running mates, there are all kinds of issues. I am thinking that the National Assembly should look at it…

“For you to qualify to run for the primaries as a governorship candidate, you should run with deputy. Same thing at the federal level. If the political parties think that the pair is okay for them and when they vote for that pair, nobody will raise issues again after the primaries.

“But here we are in a situation where issues are being raised after primaries because selection of a vice president is becoming a problem. I believe maybe at the state level the selection of the running mate to the governor is also becoming a problem.

“And every country amends their laws based on the challenges they face, this is one area that Ganduje has raised and I believe Nigerians need to have a discussion on it.”