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Tag: National Executive Committee (NEC)

  • UPDATED: Court declines to stop PDP from postponing Thursday’s NEC meeting 

    UPDATED: Court declines to stop PDP from postponing Thursday’s NEC meeting 

    A Federal High Court in Gusau, Zamfara State has rejected a motion ex-parte seeking to among others restrainNational Executive Committee (NEC) National Executive Committee (NEC) from postponing its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting already scheduled to hold on Thursday 24th October, 2024 at its national secretariat, Abuja.

    Justice Salim Ibrahim, in a ruling on Tuesday, rejected three key reliefs sought in the motion ex-parte motion files by Imam Auwal, who claimed to be a member of the PDP.

    The motion ex-parte was filed in a suit marked: FHC/GS/CS/68/2024, files by Auwal, with the PDP and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) listed as defendants.

    The plaintiff had, in the motion ex-parte, prayed the court for five principal reliefs:

    *An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the first defendant, its officers, agents, privies and/or any person or persons claiming through or under it from postponing its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting already scheduled to hold on Thursday 24th October, 2024 at its national secretariat, Abuja pending the final hearing and determination of the motion on notice. 

    *An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants jointly and severally, their servants, agents, privies and/or any person or persons claiming through or under them from recognizing any other National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on any other dates except the one scheduled for Thursday 24th October, 2024 as the 99th NEC meeting of the first defendant/respondent pending the final hearing and determination of the motion on notice. 

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    *An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the National Working Committee (NEC) and all other organs of the first defendant from recognizing the suspended National Vice Chairman (South East Zone), Mr. Ali Odefa as a member or national officer of the first defendant pending the final 

    hearing and determination of the motion on notice. 

    *An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the second defendant not to receive any correspondence or communication of whatever nature from the first defendant, unless a substantive National Chairman is appointed in accordance with Section 47 (6) of the Peoples Democratic Party Constitution (PDP), 2017 (as amended) pending the final hearing and determination of the motion on notice. 

    *An order to serve on the defendants/respondents the originating summons and the motion on notice, including all other notices in this suit, by serving at their respective offices located in Gusau, Zamfara State. 

    But after listening to Auwal 

    ‘s lawyer, Ibrahim Ali, who moved the motion, Justice Ibrahim declined to grant all the reliefs except the one seeking substituted service of court documents on the defendants.

    The relief granted reads: “An order to serve on the defendants/respondents the originating summons and the motion on notice, including all other notices in this suit, by serving at their respective offices located in Gusau, Zamfara State.” 

    Justice Ibrahim also issued an order abridging time in the proceeding; directed that parties in the suit should be notified and then adjourned  October 25.

  • Atiku urges security agencies to be professional, uphold constitution

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on security personnel deployed for the Saturday rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly elections to uphold the constitution and be professional in discharging their duties.

    Abubakar made the call at the 84th National Executive Committee (NEC) Meeting of the PDP held on Tuesday in Abuja.

    According to Abubakar, as military commanders and personnel they must be professional and never carry out any order that was not lawful.

    “I urge all security agencies to uphold the country’s constitution with an understanding that voting was a civil activity and civic responsibility.

    “The Nigerian military is constitutionally responsible for protecting our national integrity and its borders and has no role to play in the conduct of elections.

    “Additionally, I call on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), once again to remain impartial arbiters while ensuring that they conduct credible elections, this time around.

    “INEC must ensure that all logistical challenges are addressed between now and Saturday, Feb. 23, and that all materials retrieved from the field are inspected by participating political parties before the commencement of the elections,’’ he said.

    Abubakar, who expressed concern about losses of Nigerians due to the postponement of the Saturday presidential election, urged them not to be discouraged by the postponement.

    “In spite of last week’s disappointment, I urge all Nigerians to come out and vote for the candidate of their choice, keeping in mind our desire to build a democratic and economically viable nation that will be respected amongst the league of democratic nations.

    Abubakar said that the feedback from his supporters throughout the country from the nationwide campaign confirmed their desire and willingness to entrust their destiny to PDP as a viable alternative to their hopelessness.

    He re-emphasised his commitment to peaceful election.

    The National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, said his hope was that the NEC meeting would be an electoral victory celebration; but such celebration had been postponed for a week.

    Secondus said that nevertheless, PDP victory was delayed, it could not be denied.

    He stressed the need for non-deployment of military or paramilitary units to electoral duties as election was a civil activity, that the civilian police was best train to handle.

    Read also: Keyamo, Melaye clash over Buhari’s ballot snatching statement

    He also called for the closure of the national borders with the Republics of Chad and Niger, in particular.

    The Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki, said that the PDP was against election rigging.

    “We sign strongly that the law should be apply on anybody that carry out election rigging. We must operate as country with the rule of law and democracy.’’

    Saraki commended all PDP members across the country for making the party campaign successful, despite the limited resources and harassment.

    “I thank all Nigerians from the six geopolitical zones for the way PDP and its candidates, Abubakar was accepted.

    “By God’s grace election will hold and we will win, because we represent the interest of Nigerians. Like they say, when your time has come, it has come and no one can change it. Abubakar your time has come.’’

    The Chairman, PDP Board of Trustee, Sen. Walid Jubril, advised Nigerians to go back to their constituencies and vote for Atiku on the new day for the elections.

    The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, described the postponement of the election as the worst embarrassment Nigerians could ever suffer in the international community.

    He, however, said that the postponement waste last sign that the PDP would be victorious in the Saturday presidential election.(NAN)

  • I am convinced 2019 election is for PDP to win -Atiku

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, says he is convinced beyond any doubt that 2019 elections will be a victory walk for the PDP.

    Abubakar said this during the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said that going by the momentum the party had gathered through its transparent primaries and the people working together, victory was awaiting the party.

    He urged the leadership of the party to build on the momentum from its National Convention and the just concluded primaries.

    Abubakar said he was surprised when the party leadership invited him and informed him of the details of the money realised from the primaries, saying that had never happened before and had posed a very big challenge to him.

    “I said that should we win and we must win the Presidential Election, we will have to enthrone the best fiscal responsibility this country has ever known or ever seen.

    “This is simply because our party has given us that leadership, chairman I commend you.

    “I believe with the genuine support of all of you, particularly of governors and members of the National Assembly, of party leaders, of local levels, and of course, party supporters, if we work together, I am convinced without any doubts that this election is for us to win.

    “We have built up so much momentum after the Port Harcourt convention, it is now time for us to pick up the momentum again until we land in Aso Villa.”

    Abubakar also said that he was ready to face Muhammadu Bubari, the incumbent president and Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in an election debate.

    The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said that through the party’s National Convention in Port Harcourt, it had demonstrated to the world that it was ready to regain power and it was time to work together to achieve that.

    “We must stay strong. It is not easy in a third world country to defeat an incumbent government, but it has been done before by everybody and we will do it again.

    “I say so because the people are with us, and when the people are with you, God is with you, PDP by God’s grace will succeed.’’

    Saraki stressed the need to make 2019 General Elections credible, saying if elections were not free and credible, the country would be a fertile ground for crisis.

    “There will be Nigeria after elections and we must fight for credible elections.”

  • PDP to hold convention in P/Harcourt as Wike apologises

    3619 delegates to elect presidential candidate

    The leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has finally decided to hold its national convention in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    This was one of the key decisions taken at the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Friday at the Abuja secretariat of the PDP.

    The agreement to hold the convention in Port Harcourt was reached after the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, was said to have tendered an apology to the leadership of the party and other stakeholders at the meeting.

    An inside source said some party chieftains also apologized on behalf of the Rivers Governor, adding that he was sober and contrite while tendering his apology.

    Governor Wike had on Wednesday, gone on air, threatening to, among others, “teach the PDP a lesson” if the party failed to hold the convention in Port Harcourt.

    The governor’s threat was in response to a statement by the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Walid Jibrin.

    Jibrin had, at a stakeholders meeting on Monday, dismissed reports that the PDP convention would hold in Port Harcourt, saying that the party had yet to take a decision on venue.

    Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, confirmed that the issue of venue was amicably resolved by all stakeholders.

    Saraki said, “We all agreed to hold it in Port Harcourt. Some of the issues that we are having before, which were reported in the newspapers were discussed.

    Read Also: Why PDP is crying foul, by APC

    “Everybody decided that we should stay with the party. Where tempers were flared, people apologized and everybody felt that yes, there was a commitment to assure everybody that there will be free and fair primaries. So today has been a very good day”.

    All the aspirants were said to have collectively assured the meeting that their initial fears over the Port Harcourt venue for the convention had been allayed by the leadership of the party.

    They were also said to have reposed confidence in the ability of the leadership of the party and the convention committee to conduct a seamless exercise.

    However, the convention, where the party’s presidential candidate will be elected has been shifted from October 5-6 to October 6-7.

    No fewer than 3619 delegates across the country are expected to vote to elect the party’s presidential flag bearer at the convention.

    Other resolutions arrived at included a written commitment of all the 12 presidential aspirants to a bond accepting the outcome of the primary election and to join forces with the eventual winner to form a united front.

    The party on its part, pledged to ensure a transparent, free, fair and acceptable primaries that will be acceptable to all the aspirants and their supporters.

    The PDP also expressed the readiness to engage democratic stakeholders all over the world towards achieving a credible free and fair general election in February 2019.

    The meeting, which was presided over by the national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus was attended by all the presidential aspirants, the party’s governors, members of the National Assembly among other stakeholders.

  • NEC adopted direct primary for all elections – APC

    …Buhari may cough out N55 million for Presidential form

    Confusion now trails Thursday resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the mode of primary to be adopted for the selection of candidates for the forth coming general election, as the party has retracted its earlier statement on the use of indirect primary.

    While the party told Nigerians after the meeting on Thursday that indirect primaries was to be adopted for all categories of offices except the Presidential primary, it announced on Friday that indirect primary was to be adopted for all the primaries.

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    Acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena told newsmen that the NEC actually resolved to use direct primary for all primary election, while states wishing to use indirect primary should hold a stakeholders meeting and agree on it.

    He said “the 30th August, 2018 resolution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Executive Committee (NEC) on the mode of Primary Election has been subject to inference and misleading interpretations. As an update to the earlier released statement, we wish to make the following clarifications on NEC’s resolutions on Mode of Primary Election:

    ” Primary elections into all elective offices shall be by Direct Primaries.

    ” NEC resolved to adopt Direct Primaries for the nomination of the Presidential candidate and all other Primaries.

    ” The Party’s constitution though provides for Indirect Election and Consensus, however, the use of Indirect Primaries is conditional and dependent on logistic impediments; peculiarities and need of a given State that makes it unable to use Direct Primaries.

    ” The State Executive Committee (SEC) shall in consultation with aspirants and other critical stakeholders of the Party in a given State forward for the consideration and approval by the National Working Committee (NWC), if Indirect Primaries is to be adopted. The adopted mode shall now be applied to all categories of the Party’s Primary Elections i.e. State Assembly, Senate, House of Representatives and for the Governorship Elections.

    ” The request for Indirect Primaries must be signed by majority of the State Executive Committee and critical stakeholders in attendance at the meeting where such resolution is reached.”

    He stated further that “Direct Primaries will among others ensure fairness; create a level playing ground for contestants; eliminate corrupt tendencies usually associated with the delegates system and ultimately ensure full participation of party members at all levels.”

    Plateau state Governor Simon Lalong and his Kogi state counterpart, Yahaya Bello had told newsmen on Thursday that the party’s NEC resolved to use direct primary only for the presidential primary, while states wishing to use direct primary should apply to the National Working Committee of the party with the approval of majority of their stakeholders and the state working committee.

     

  • APC chieftain sues Odigie-Oyegun over tenure extension

    APC chieftain sues Odigie-Oyegun over tenure extension

    …‘Ruling party must not circumvent its rules’

     

    An aggrieved All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Dr. Wale Ahmed, has taken the national chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to court over what he described as an illegal extension of his tenure.

    Ahmed, a party stalwart from Lagos, said the ruling party has violated its rules and guiding principle on periodic national convention as stipulated by its constitution.

    The embattled chairman, Odigie-Oyegun, was elected chairman in June 2014 for a four year tenure, which had expires in June.

    The plaintiff said the chairman and other members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party were given illegal anticipatory tenure elongation to enable them put the national convention in abeyance, without due consideration for the APC constitution and 1999 Constitution.

    According to the Section 223 (1a) and (2a), of the 1999 Constitution, “the constitution and rules of a political party shall provide for the periodic election on a democratic basis of the principal officer and members of the executive committee or other governing body of the political party.”

    Also, “the election of the officers or members of the executive committee of a political party shall be deemed to be periodical only if it is made at regular intervals not exceeding four years.”

    According to the APC Constitution (2014 as amended), “all officers of the party elected or appointed into the party’s organs shall serve in such organs for a period of four years and shall be eligible for re-election or re-appointment for another period of four years only, provided that an officer elected or appointed to fill a vacancy arising from death, resignation or otherwise shall notwithstanding be eligible for election to the same office for two terms.”

    Joined in the suit No. FHC/L/CS/364/18 before the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, are the Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Segun Oni, Deputy National Chairman (North), Senator Lawal Shuaibu, National Secretary Mallam Ibrahim Gubi, National Vice Chairman (Southwest) Chief Pius Akinyelure, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Ahmed is praying the court to declare as null and void and of now effect the purported elongation of the tenure of the NEC, contrary to the extant laws.

    In the originating summons taken by his counsel, B.A.M Fashanu (SAN), the plaintiff is claiming that the defendants, jointly or severally, have erred in law. His prayers include:

    “A declaration that the first to sixth defendants have no power under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,  1999, to extend the tenure of the elected organs/officers beyond four years from their election /inauguration

    “A declaration that the purported extension of the tenure of the extant National Working Committee (NWC) and /or other executive committees or their members of the All Progressives Congress at various levels for another 12 months from June 30, 2018 by the National Executive Committee of or by the All Progressives Congress, is illegal, null and void and of no effect

    “A declaration that any provision of the sixth defendant’s constitution or any memorandum, circular or pronouncement of the first to sixth defendants purporting to extend the tenure of the first to fifth defendants beyond their extant elected or inaugurated four year tenure is in conflict or is inconsistent with the provision of Section 223(1) (a) and  223 (2) (a) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 and is null and void to the extent of its inconsistency.

    “An injunction restraining the first to sixth defendants, their servants and/or agents, from taking any steps to implement the purported tenure elongation of the presently elected/constituted organs/officers of the All Progressives Congress, which pronouncement or decision was made on or about the 27th of February, 2018, or in any manner howsoever, stay in office beyond four years from the date of their election/inauguration.

    “An injunction restraining the seventh defendant, its servants and /or agents, from recognising the decision or any decision of the first to sixth defendants to extend the tenure of the sixth defendant’s extant elected organs/officers beyond their elected/constituted four years, or, taking any step, in any manner howsoever, to implement such decision.”

    Ahmed, a former member of House of Assembly and one-time Commissioner for Special Duties said he went to court to protect the image of the ruling party and the sanctity of the constitution.

    He said the APC should, through its convention, create a level playing field for all qualified members of the party who may wish to contest for any party office at the convention when the tenure of the executive committee expires in June.

    Ahmed added: “We must avoid a situation whereby a dangerous precedent will be laid by the deliberate violation of party constitution, rules and regulations on leadership recruitment and renewal of tenure. Our party is known for its avowed commitment to the rule of law, the due process and the constitution. We must obey our own laws and respect the constitution of the country.”

    Crisis had hit the APC, following the purported tenure elongation for the NEC and the NWC, following their Abuja meeting of January 26 and 27.

    While Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello told reporters that the NEC had granted one year tenure elongation to the Odigie-Oyegun-led NWC, his Zamfara State counterpart and Chairman of the APC Governors’ Forum, Abdulaziz Yari, said the NEC lacked the power to extend the tenure, adding that the power of the Convention to extend the tenure can only be exercised only by way of constitutional amendment.

    He stressed: “The power of the NEC of our party cannot go beyond doing so by way of constitution amendment. Article 30 of the APC Constitution and the schedules hereto, can be amended only by the National Convention of the party.

    “The process of amending the constitution is also expressly provided in Article 30 Sub-Section 2. This states: “Notice of any proposed amendment by any member or organ of the party shall be given to the National Secretary, at least, 14 days before the date of the National Convention. The Notice shall be in writing, shall contain a clear statement of the proposed amendment and reasons for the amendment.”

    Read Also: Odigie-Oyegun: APC NWC tenure extension in good fate

  • We must avert collapse of public confidence in judicial system – Buhari 

    We must avert collapse of public confidence in judicial system – Buhari 

    President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), to work with the government to avert the collapse of public confidence in the justice system of the country.

    Speaking while receiving the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the NBA at the State House on Thursday in Abuja, the President warned that a collapse of public confidence in the justice system will have disastrous consequences for the entire country.

    In a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the President said “Let me reiterate that the collapse of public confidence in the justice system will have disastrous effects on our democracy and will negatively affect the capacity of the legal profession to thrive and flourish in the country,”

    In making a request to the NBA to ensure the highest form of discipline among its members, President Buhari charged the body to ensure that all cases of indiscipline and corruption are tackled effectively.

    He expressed worries about allegations of the roles of some senior lawyers in attempts to corrupt judges and the judicial system.

    President Buhari also gave assurances that his administration will continue to operate on a foundation of the Rule of Law.

    He said “We are convinced that corruption and impunity flourish when due process mechanisms are disregarded.  We, however, expect a corresponding duty on the part of all professional bodies such as the NBA to ensure the highest forms of discipline among their members”.

    The President urged the members of the legal profession, whom he described as opinion builders in their various communities, to work for the public enlightenment of the citizenry, and to support the initiatives of government in sanitizing the public services, improving standards of public accountability and the insistence on the normal standards of judicial integrity.

    He emphasized that government will continue to dwell on its programmes of a vigorous anti-corruption campaign; ensuring the recovery of looted national assets; prosecution of an effective and sustainable anti-terrorism war; and the institutionalization of law and order in all aspects of our national life.

    President Buhari thanked the members of the NBA for their support so far, and urged them to do more in that regard.

    He noted concerns raised by the NBA President and assured of his readiness to work with the bar association and the Judiciary to achieve needed reforms.

    In his remarks, the President of the NBA, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmud, SAN, had commended President Buhari for his confidence in the members of the association, considering the number of lawyers in high places in the administration.

    These included the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; the Attorney-General of Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and five other ministers as well as the Permanent Secretary in the State House, Jalal Arabi.

    The NBA President also lauded the administration for its efforts, and expressed the Bar’s continued support in the war against corruption, terrorism and general insecurity as well as the ongoing work to institute good governance and revamp the economy.

    He, however, brought to the attention of President Buhari NBA’s concerns on prisons’ congestion, the need for compliance with judicial decisions and the modus operandi of some of the anti-corruption agencies.

  • Buhari rode to power on false promises – Balarabe Musa

    Buhari rode to power on false promises – Balarabe Musa

    Former Governor of the old Kaduna State, and National Chairman of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa on Monday took a swipe on the President Muhammadu Buhari led government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying that, they rode to power on false and empty promises.

    Musa who took a critical look at the state of the nation, almost three years into President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration said, the APC, saddled with internal crisis, has nothing to offer Nigerians than hardship.

    Speaking at the 54th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of PRP, the elder statesman noted that none of the promises made by Buhari and APC before coming to power in 2015 had been fulfilled, “rather, hardship has overwhelmed the masses of this country”.

    The PRP leader said, since 2015 when the APC came to power, economy has remained comatose, unemployment has assumed critical proportion, insecurity among other issues have become life threatening and worrisome.

    Balarabe Musa however expressed belief that his party would remedy the situation if it comes to power, adding that, APC has worsen political environment in the country.

    In his words, “As you are all aware, our nation today remains in a very sorry state despite all the lofty promises and flowery speeches made by the ruling government of the All Progressive Congress (APC) at the inception of the Administration in 2015.

    “The economy remains comatose, and in some sectors, particularly in industry and commerce, it is even getting worse.

    “Monetary and fiscal management has continued to lack coherence and consistency, or even predictability and strategic planning.

    “Unemployment, particularly amongst the youth, who constitute the bulk of our population, has assumed critical proportions and is now, for all practical purposes, a national emergency.

    “Yet, this APC Administration, which rode to power on the back of false promises to this generation of hapless young men and women, seems to have no answers to this ticking time bomb beyond slogans such as N-Power.

    “In fact, instead of creating jobs, the Administration is busy cutting existing ones in the name of ‘rightsizing’ or ‘downsizing’.

    “This government, both at the centre and in the States that it controls, has proved that it has little or nothing else to provide Nigerians other than further mass impoverishment, frustration and hardships.

    “If we turn to the security front, the same sad picture confronts us. Perhaps, President Muhammadu Buhari’s greatest appeal for many in 2015 was the belief that he was capable of dealing a death blow to the insurgency, particularly as manifested by Boko Haram.

    “In these almost three years that the APC has been in power, the reality has been otherwise.

    “Yes, the Boko Haram camps in the Sambisa forest may have been wiped out, but the security menace that the group poses continues to manifest, with suicide bombs exploding almost on a weekly basis, particularly in the North Eastern parts of the country.

    “But apart from the Boko Haram insurgency, others have emerged in different parts of the country.

    “Recently, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) unleashed mayhem in the South East. Similarly, the militants in the Niger Delta are yet to sheath their swords.

    “And even more ominous is the threat to public safety and the security of lives and property posed by the marauding gangs of cattle rustlers, killer herdsmen and armed kidnappers.

    “We ask, where is the security promised Nigerians by this APC administration?.

    “In so far as the political environment is concerned, again the story is a sad one. Lacking any internal cohesion within itself, the APC administration has only spawned and promoted institutional political decay in the country.

    “In the name of an anti-corruption campaign, the government has been consistently assaulting due process and the rule of law.

    “Court orders are flagrantly disobeyed by the very institutions that should enforce them.

    “Basic democratic rights are being cynically abused. While talking glibly about fighting corruption, the government shamelessly looks askance where corruption is exposed within its own very ranks, closets and cocoons”.

    Musa said the state of the nation is sad because things do not have to be so sad given the natural and human endowments of the country.

    He however appealed to the masses to endure the challenges, saying that PRP will be their last hope if voted into power to build a strong political, social and economic platform for the country.

  • PDP crisis: Sheriff camp rejects BoT’s recommendations

    PDP crisis: Sheriff camp rejects BoT’s recommendations

    The Ali Modu Sheriff camp of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the peace recipe offered by the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) to stem the festering leader ship crisis in the party.

    The BoT had on Monday directed the removal of the Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike as chairman of the convention planning committee and the immediate disbandment of the panel.

    The trustees had similarly ordered that a repeat convention by held in Abuja, instead of Port Harcourt, favoured by the Wike and the Ahmed Makarfi led caretaker committee of the PDP.

    A statement on Tuesday by Dr. Cairo Ojougbo on behalf of the Sheriff camp, said the resolutions of the BoT fell short of the decisions reached with another reconciliation committee headed by the Bayelsa state Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson.

    The camp has insisted on having Sheriff chair the next National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting “where Makarfi will attend as a member of the BOT”.

    “At the meeting, a chairman of the convention committee will be agreed upon, a new convention committee setup, including all other sub-committees like Zoning, Finance, Accreditation etc”, the statement added.

    The faction demanded an enlarged meeting of stakeholders and members, where everybody will be given the right to air their views as prelude to genuine reconciliation.

    The faction also rejected the vote of confidence passed on the caretaker committee by the BoT, on the ground that the committee had failed to organise a successful convention on two occasions.

    The statement continued, “Consequently, we can now confidently inform the general public that well-meaning Nigerians have been urging Senator Makarfi to resign to save democracy.

    “We therefore call on his friends and associates and family to advise him to do the needful and resign now to save multiparty democracy in Nigeria and stop impunity that has been the bane of internal democracy.

    “That the BOT Chairman, Senator Walid Jubril, has brought crisis to the party. In any case his tenure has expired as he has spent more than 10 years as Secretary and Chairman of BOT which runs contrary to the party constitution.

    “A party where we have imminently qualified persons like Senator David Mark, Babangida Aliyu and others cannot be led by unstable individuals controlled by the love for money.

    “That the source of irritation in the party is the still-born illegal caretaker committee and the Board of Trustees should have advised that the illegality be addressed”.

    The Sheriff camp also demanded the immediate reconstitution of the BoT, stressing that “until we get it right and check impunity, the Nigerian opposition party won’t perform as required”.

    “As we move towards reconciliation, PDP should prevent any person or group from hijacking the party. Be rest assured that the PDP will emerge stronger as we note that impunity marred the party’s success in the 2015 general elections,” the statement added.

     

  • PDP convention to hold in Abuja, says BoT

    PDP convention to hold in Abuja, says BoT

    The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has directed the Ahmed Makarfi led Caretaker Committee to hold the party’s repeat national convention in Abuja instead of Port Harcourt.

    The directive was contained in a communique issued by the BoT after a marathon meeting in Abuja Monday.

    The communique, signed by BoT chairman, Sen. Walid Jubrin, also directed that the convention planning committee headed by the Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Wike be disbanded.

    It ordered the Makarfi caretaker committee to set up of a new planning committee, to be approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.

    Two previous attempts by the PDP to hold the convention in Port Harcourt in May and August this year ended in a fiasco, throwing the party into deeper crisis arising.

    The directives by the BoT were part of the conditions given by the faction led by the estranged National Chairman, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff for peace and reconciliation with the Makarfi committee before the last botched convention.

    Thee BoT’s communique read in part, “The next convention should be held in Abuja.

    “To ensure a credible, transparent, free and fair convention, a new Convention Planning Committee should be constituted by the National Caretaker Committee and approved by NEC”.

    The communique further stated that the BoT should facilitate fund raising for the running of the party and directed to reconciliation committee headed by a former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana to continue with its reconciliation efforts.

    The meeting ended with the BoT passing a vote of confidence on the Makarfi led caretaker committee.

    It charged the committee to convene a meeting of the NEC, with the view to approving proposals designed to steer the party away from crisis.