Senate caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have formally made a joint demand from the leadership of the party for automatic return tickets to the National Assembly in 2011, for themselves.

The demand may have confirmed renewed speculations that the PDP senators may have sealed such deal with the national leadership of the party.

National Chairman of the party, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, had at a recent meeting with the party caucus in the House of Representatives said that the high turn over of lawmakers at the National Assembly was no longer acceptable to the party.

In fact, Ogbulafor was reported to have promised the lawmakers that the party would change the trend in the 2011 election.

But hardly had the dust raised by the promise settled than the PDP senators formally made the demand for automatic return ticket for themselves in the 2011 election.

At an interactive session with Ogbulafor, they said experiences and huge resources already invested on them in the art of legislative assignment would be wasted if not given opportunity to return.

Senate President, David Mark, on behalf of his colleagues at the meeting told the party leadership to consider the demand in the interest of the party in 2011 election.

He told Prince Ogbulafor that the continued high turnover of lawmakers to the legislative house at every election, does not give room for the growth of the legislature.

Mark explained that unlike the executive and the judiciary, the legislature which is the hallmark of democracy needed to be sustained with growing experiences of the legislators.

The President of the Senate believes that the present crop of Senators have proven to be reliable, competent and knowledgeable, besides the harmony between them and the executive arm of government.

His said: Harmony, peace and cordiality, are needed ingredients for development. We must sustain an experienced and stable legislature which is the needed antidote for the sustenance and growth of democracy."

Mark however clarified that in as much as the Senate would cooperate with the executive in the discharge of its service delivery to the people, "the Senate is mindful of its independence and legislative duties, we shall not compromise on this".

Ogbulafor in a response however promised that the party would consider the request even as he praised the cordial relationship between the Senate and the executive arm of government and urged for its sustenance.

Ogbulafor said the PDP government has lived up to its billings and promised that the issue of automatic ticket would be considered in due course.