By Tony Edike

ENUGU—MEMBERS of the National and State Assemblies in Enugu State seeking re-election for another term on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, would not be given automatic tickets to contest the 2011 elections, the state leader of the party, Governor Sullivan Chime, insisted yesterday.

According to him, all the elective positions in the state will be thrown open to all aspirants for the elections.

There are a total of 35 positions to be contested for in Enugu State in next year’s elections and apart from Governor Chime, who had been endorsed by leaders of the party for another term, the party said all the other positions, including three senatorial seats, eight House of Representatives seats and 24 House of Assembly seats would be contested by any party member willing to do so, including those currently occupying such positions.

The party said both the incumbent lawmakers and the new aspirants must submit themselves to the selection process to ensure internal democracy within the party and to prevent a situation where candidates are imposed on the people.

Governor Chime, who was addressing a meeting of PDP stakeholders in the state Monday night, assured the party members that the party leadership was determined to conduct a free and fair primaries for the various elective offices during its forthcoming congresses.

The governor also reaffirmed his commitment to the Goodluck Jonathan Presidency in 2011, and declared that the era of imposition or “appointment of candidates” for elective positions was over.

He said the decision as to which aspirant will be the party’s flagbearer for any elective position squarely rested with the members of the party.

“The era of appointment of candidates for elective positions in the state is over. We can no longer tolerate a situation where a few people would gather and decide for the party who should represent it in the elections.

“This time around, that decision will be made by the people at the congresses and we will not allow anyone to compromise that,” Chime said.

The governor, whose second term bid was unanimously endorsed by the stakeholders present at the meeting, stressed that the interests of each constituency in the state would override that of any particular individual.

He added that all aspirants should be assured that the leadership of the party will uphold the legitimate result of its primaries no matter who it may go against.