2023 ELECTION: The former governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, fresh from prison for the offence of graft, after recent pardon from President Muhammadu Buhari`s administration has expressed interest in running for the Plateau Central senatorial seat under Peter Obi`s Labour Party platform.

Basic Facts

• The Labour Party has former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, as its presidential candidate.
• Joshua Dariye was sentenced to a 10-year jail term after being convicted of N1.126 billion fraud.
• The former Plateau State governor won a senatorial seat in 2011 on the platform of LP.

What We Know

Joshua Dariye and Jolly Nyame, a former governor of Taraba, were both released from prison on Monday, three months after receiving pardons from the Council of State, which is overseen by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Out of his ten years in prison for N1.126 billion fraud, Dariye served around four years out of the 10 years jail term.

According to reports reaching Clariform, the Plateau State LP chapter has finalized plans to receive Dariye from Abuja to choose the party’s senatorial form.

Notable Quotes

A source in Labour Party confirmed Joshua Dariye`s association with the Labour Party saying:

“Yes, it is true that he (Dariye) will be running for a Senate seat. We are making arrangements for him to come from Abuja for the senatorial declaration.”

Takeaway

The former governor of Plateau State has the popularity to woo voters in the forthcoming 2023 general elections due to the widespread support he enjoys in the North-Central State.

Our source at Labour Party affirmed that Dariye has helped the party’s governorship candidate, Patrick Dakum, who switched allegiance to the LP after failing to win the endorsement of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, the moral impact of Joshua Dariye`s association with the Labour is entirely a factor that cannot be overlooked, considering the fact that his pardon does not wish away the crime he was convicted for.

However, as it stands the benefit he bring to the party might be a more overwhelming factor, as the party would want every hand on deck as it seeks to emerge victorious in the presidential election, in which it is fielding a very strong candidate.

Catchup

Clariform recalls that Joshua Dariye who served as a 2 term Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor in Plateau State, defected from the party. He contested and won a senatorial seat in 2011 on the platform of LP.

This report was written by Franklyn Latunji and edited by Shaun Eugene