The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Elders Forum in Southern Kaduna Senatorial Zone of Kaduna State has rejected automatic tickets for elected office holders in the area.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, North-West Nigeria, chairman of the forum, Senator Haruna Aziz Zego, said the people vehemently rejected automatic tickets and imposition of candidates, monetisation of electoral processes and intimidation. He said the Southern Kaduna people should be left alone to determine their political future.

On last week’s endorsement by elected representatives in Southern Kaduna, Zego said: “Please get me right and clear, we are yet to meet but as far as PDP in Southern Kaduna is concerned, there is no automatic ticket to anybody, not even in Kaduna state. No money, no force, no intimidation and divide and rule that will work over us.

“We are completely studying the endorsement that was done by our elected people, we will go back to our villages to seek their opinion, even though we already know but we will go back and confirm because we respect them and holding trust.”

Senator Aziz, the only surviving top PDP member in Southern Kaduna following the death of Sir Patrick Yakowa, Engr. Stephen Shekari, Senator Isaiah Balat, Col. Yohanna Madaki and Garba Madaki Ali, insisted that only President Goodluck Jonathan is acceptable in their area.

According to him, “The generality of Southern Kaduna people are for President Jonathan, but any other person will not have automatic ticket in Southern Kaduna. This is a statement of fact and by the grace of God you will see because we don’t arrogate power to ourselves but saying position of the conscious people of our area.

“I repeat, there is no automatic ticket and there will be none in Southern Kaduna, outsiders should allow us decide our future because we are capable of handling ourselves and we will not tolerate any form of imposition.”

•Photo shows Senator Haruna Aziz Zego.