Abuja — In apparent reference to the Senators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who are demanding automatic ticket in the 2011 general elections, the party over the weekend said that there would be no provision for automatic ticket for any person seeking elective office.

Senators belonging to the PDP in an interactive session demanded an automatic ticket as a measure to contain the quick turnover of the lawmakers and ensure the maximum of the training which they have undergone.

Senate President David Mark at the interactive session added his voice for automatic ticket, when he said: "every four years, people begin to clamour for their own local government to produce the next senator. In other words, there are people back home in our various constituencies who are saying it is their local government to produce the next elected person."

But when THISDAY contacted the National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Ahmed Alkali, to comment on the demands of the Senators, he said: "Please refer to the statement from the party on automatic ticket. Nothing has changed.

"Even the National Chairman, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, who was at the interactive session with the senators and he deliberately refused to comment on their demand, because nothing has changed."

According to the PDP spokesman, "Nothing has changed. Please to understand the position of the party, go back to the statement issued on the demand for automatic ticket."

Alkali in statement in reference said: "The current Consti-tution of the PDP, particularly article 17 (A-F) provides for the conduct of primaries to elect candidates of the party for each public office. The conduct of such primaries is subject to guidelines released by the National Executive Committee. There is therefore no provision for automatic candidates in the PDP Constitution. The only means for the emergence of candidates for the party is through the conduct of primaries where all qualified members of the party shall freely participate in the contest of any office of their choice."

Also referring to the statement earlier issued by the Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Dr. Haliru Bello Mohammed, on Automatic ticket, he said: "The question of automatic second term ticket is against the spirit of Dr. Alex Ekwueme's report on internal democracy." He also said that automatic ticket is "undemocratic."

The PDP spokesman also said: "Contrary to insinuations from some uninformed quarters, the issue of automatic candidature for incumbent office holders does not form part of the amendments to the PDP constitution as proposed for the forthcoming National Convention."

The PDP spokesman further said: "The Party appreciates the need for continuity and quality legislation which will come from the experience garnered by our legislators. There is no doubt that the nation will ultimately benefit from an experienced and stable legislature which is the least developed arm of Government in our history. However, only party members in their constituency can determine their return in transparently conducted primaries.

"The National Leadership of the Party will never impose anyone on any constituency as doing so will negate our principles and commitment to entrenching internal democracy."

The statement also said: "Not withstanding our disposition to ensure equal participation by all, the Party shall not discourage its public office holders who excel in their duties from seeking additional terms of office as permitted by the Constitution of the PDP and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."

Also, the National Chairman of PDP, Prince Ogbulafor, had last week warned states chairmen of the party from adopting serving governors as consensus candidate. He warned them to desist from the adoption or face disciplinary action.