A Pan Nigerian group, The United Nigerian Forum, has commended the peaceful conduct of the just concluded primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Adamawa State.
In a statement signed by the convener of the group, Mallam Umar Farouk, the group said it was particularly excited by the spirit of give and take, tolerance, maturity and sense of openness that pervaded the entire process before, during and after the conduct of the exercise.
According to Farouk, unlike what has become the norm in most primaries in the country, it was devoid of name calling, brickbats and unwholesome exchanges.
He said that it was also noteworthy that aspirants were given level playing field and unlimited opportunity during the contest to reach party delegates in order to canvass for their support without any form of intimidation or inhibition.
According the Convener, it was pertinent to note that popular participation is one of the important cardinal principles of every democratic contest, adding that,  the case of Adamawa PDP gubernatorial  primaries is a study worthy of emulation.
“We are similarly delighted that responsible  leaders like Malam Nuhu Ribadu sacrificed their ambition in the interest of unity and peaceful co-existence of the state and tranquility among the people of the state. Equally, contestants such as the ever courageous Dr Umar Ardo and Dr Ahmed Modibbo deserve to be mentioned for making the primaries a colourful event and for deepening the democratic process.
“We should therefore appraise the PDP primaries conducted recently as a study in the restoration of principles of internal party democracy in the party. Other political parties and the political class should emulate the virtues of openness and transparency witnessed during the exercise in Adamawa state,” the statement read in part

Group commends PDP over primaries