Sen JT Useni who was declared the winner of the 30th September 2018 PDP Gubernatorial Primaries in Plateau says that there was no winner and no loser. Sen Useni made the remarks when some of the aspirants who contested with him went to his residence to congrstulate him and to assure him of their support for the forthcoming secondary elections. In his words,

“The fact that I scored over a thousand votes out of about two-thousand does not make me a winner and the remaining 12 aspirants losers. I was only asked to lead all the aspirants as a family to the battle field. For us in the PDP there was no winner and no loser. We all won. It was a collective victory to face a common opponent”.

The PDP flag-bearer, a serving Senator representing Plateau South and Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Defence thanked his fellow contestants for the spirit of sportsmanship. He assured them that he will work with them in forming a formidable structure for the next activity and in forming a government that will restore Plateau back to her glory. He assured the contestants that he will convene a meeting with them to chat the way forward as soon as he returns from the PDP National Convention.

Among the aspirants who have, so far, visited Sen Useni along with their Campaign Directorates as at the time of this report were Engr. Ibrahim Ponyah, Gen. Musa Gambo,  Yitman Maimako, Rt.Hon.Geaorge Daika, Hon.Exodus N.T.Pyennap. Some aspirants who put phone calls to visit but the Senator was already out of town for elections in Southern Plateau were Engr.Jimmy Cheto among others.

Sen. Useni thanked the Plateau delegates and the entire PDP family on the Plateau for the confidence bestowed on him by electing him as the flag-bearer in the 2019 governorship race in Plateau  State. He also expressed his appreciation to his Campaign Organisation and supporters for hard work and dedication. He urged all Plateau voters to come out in mass and vote in people oriented, competent, experienced, matured and security conscious government that has the capacity to deliver good governance. He has been tested and trusted.

It should be recalled that before the primaries the PDP in Plateau set up a committee under the leadership of Senator Ibrahim Mantu. The Mantu Committee’s mandate was to interact with all the 13 gubernatorial aspirants towards reconciliation and understanding before and after the primaries. All aspirants were made to sign an undertaking to be of good conduct and pledge to work with whosoever emerged ad the flag bearer. This was confirmed by Sen Victor Lar who spoke on behalf of the other aspirants before the commencement of voting at the voting centre. In his words, Sen Victor Lar said,

“We have had interactions under the Senator Mantu Committee and we all agreed and signed an undertaking that under a transparent, fair and peaceful election we shall all support and work for whosoever amongst us emerges the flag bearer.”.

It is believed by many that the PDP family will remain intact even after the primaries.

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NO WINNER, NO LOSER – SEN USENI