PDP reacts as Dariye picks APC nomination form, says action embarrassing

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the submission of nomination form by former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Joshua Dariye as “shocking and embarrassing’’.

The party stated this in a statement by Ben Shignugul, Vice Chairman of Plateau Central and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

Shignugul said Dariye should be praying to be in good health while in prison rather than delve into politics.

He said: “It is shocking that a convict serving a 14-year jail term will be given a nomination form to contest an election. This is just ridiculous.

“The nomination form has a portion which requests aspirants to state whether they were once convicted; I wonder what information Dariye provided in that column.

“He (Dariye) is our illustrious son and we sympathise with him. We expect him to be sober and reflect on what has happened to him, instead of allowing himself to be dragged around by desperate politicians.

“We still pray that he will serve out his 14-year jail term and come out in good health.

“Dariye should equally be praying, instead of attracting unnecessary attention to himself,’’ Shignugul said.

The PDP official, however, noted that Dariye or any other APC candidate is not a threat to the party in the 2019 general elections.

“Dariye cannot be a threat to us because people in the zone are already fed up with him after eight years as governor and two terms in the Senate,’’ Shignugul added.