Senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly an former Governor of Plateau State Jonah Jang has declared his intention to contest for the presidential position on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.
A close associate of Senator Jang, and former Secretary to Plateau State Government, Professor Shedrach Best, made this known in an interview with the Tribune newspaper.
According to him the former governor has submitted his letter of intent to the National Secretariat of the PDP in Abuja and also made a declaration at his constituency.
He said Senator Jang joined the race after a wide consultation in the country especially in the Middle Belt which is his immediate constituency as far as the presidential race is a concern.
“After he submitted his letter of intent to contest at the National Secretariat of the PDP in Abuja, he had a wide consultation and meeting with his followers in his constituency and got the nod of the people to contest for the number one seat.
“Senator Jang decided to throw his hat into the ring having examined the state of the nation especially the insecurity, energy, bad economy and lack of purposeful direction by those in leadership positions in the country. He joined the race primarily to make a difference,” he said.
Professor Best, who said Jang had the full support of the Middle Belt for his aspiration added that the fact that the geopolitical zone has not enjoyed representation through electoral governance further propelled Senator Jang to indicate his interest to contest.
“PDP has zoned presidency to the North, the North Central otherwise called the Middle Belt has not enjoyed representation through electoral governance, it is the belief of Senator Jang that since North Central is part of the North it should be given an opportunity this time around,” he said.
Professor Best further disclosed that the former governor will start campaign this week from Plateau State, where it will be taken to other parts of the country.