Twelve aspirants are in the race to fly the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 Presidential elections after former Senate President David Mark apparently droped out at the last minute.

As at 6pm today (Saturday, October 6) when this report was being filed, all the stands for different delegates of the party were already seated at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, Rivers State venue of the Convention.

The Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), among others, were on ground to ensure smooth exercise while officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were seen controlling the movement of vehicles.

As at the time of filing this report, the aspirants were Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Senator Bukola Saraki, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, Alhaji Waziri Tambuwal, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, Hon. Datti Baba-Ahmed, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, Sule Lamido, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, Jonah Jang and Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, who is the Chairman of the planning committee of the Special National Convention, has commended the large turnout of delegates for the convention.

He stated: “We are happy with the large turnout of delegates for the convention, you can see that almost all the delegates are on their designated areas and I can assure you that in few minutes time, voting will commence.

“I commend the aspirants for the show of love for our party and our country, the voting pattern will be credible, transparent; there will be no room for anyone to know who voted for him or not, we are one family and the overall vote will determine who will be our Presidential candidate in 2019,” he said.

Continuing, Okowa said: “We are taking our time to conduct a very free, credible, transparent convention that will be acceptable to our party, Nigerians and all lovers of democracy.”

•Photo by Jibunor Samuel shows Governor Ifeanyi Okowa (left) and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, during 2018 PDP Convention held at Adokiye Amasiemeka Stadium, Port Harcourt

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