Coalitions of  organized forums within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State, has rejected the choice of Senator Joel Ikenya as Minister nominee saying it’s a political miscalculation that could robbed the party of victory at the poll.

In a protest letter to President Goodluck Jonathan and PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu said it’s unfair and ill-time for the PDP to nominate Ikenya from same Southern Taraba that produced the PDP governorship candidate, Darius Dickson Ishiaku.

The letter was signed by  leaders of PDP Fans Club Ahmed Sani; PDP Concern Members,  Mrs Christy Jushua; PDP Taraba Youth Congress, Mr. Peter Ezra; Goodluck Sambo Support group, Mr. Musa Adi and  Alhaji Abuduallhi Adamu for Neighbor to Neighbor 2015 in Taraba State.

According to the groups “available records have shown that since 1999 to date there was never a time when a gubernatorial flag bearer and ministerial nominee came from the same zone in Taraba state.”

The groups wondered if the PDP does not want the supports of the Taraba North and Central zones which fortunately have the highest numbers of eligible voters and PVC collection.

“It’s clearly shows that Taraba State PDP is in deep political crisis and confusion by sacrificing the state to the opposition by this unpopular decision of nominating Ikenya as a minister.”

The group said “the insensitive decision will undoubtedly affect the voting behavior and chances of the PDP to win the forthcoming general election.”

“Our dilemma in this arises from the fact that instead of uniting our party, the nomination of Ikenya who was the gubernatorial flag bearer of the Action Congress of Nigeria ACN in the 2011 election at this time would cause a serious disaffection and tension in our party.

The injustice done to our party delegates and candidates in Wadata Plaza Abuja on the bogus primary election conducted is still fresh in the minds of our party members and teeming supporters.

The groups however appeals to President Jonathan through the instrumentality of the party to look into “this miscalculation and injustice done to Taraba state politically especially the wrong timing despite growing tensions and uncertainties in the PDP Taraba state chapter.

“We urge the President and our great party to reconsider this decision on the ministerial nominee from Taraba state in order to save the soul of our great party from pending disintegration and subsequently defeat at the poll.”

Source: VANGUARD