The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has temporarily suspended its mini-convention earlier slated for 31st August as well as the Southwest 24th August convention.
According to the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, the organising committee chaired by Professor Jerry Gana will suspend its work, owing to violations of the party’s constitution.
“In view of the anomalies and breaches of the constitution of the PDP observed in the actions so far taken by the Special National Convention Planning Committee, the NWC has directed the committee to put on hold all activities relating to the Special South West Zonal Congresses and the Special National Convention, pending the regularisation of the anomalies and breaches so as to forestall a repeat of the events that affected the party’s convention in 2012,” Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Tony Okeke said in a media statement.
“Consequently, the dates recently announced by the Planning Committee are in the circumstances untenable. The NWC, with the view to resolving the protracted problems of the Anambra State chapter of the party, has resolved to invite major stakeholders in the state to an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting on the 18th July 2013 to commence consultations towards finding a lasting solution to the problems of the party in the state, which will lead the party to a successful governorship primary election in the state.
The NWC expressed concern over recent developments in Rivers State and resolved to invite National Vice Chairman, South South for a briefing so that it can take an informed decision that will lead to a prompt resolution of the crisis in the state.
Delegates in Sokoto, Taraba, Plateau, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Lagos, Anambra, Katsina and Kano have been voided by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Making the rejection in a letter in March 2012, INEC Secretary Alhaji Abdullahi Kaigama, wrote that the 2012 ward congresses in the nine states were flawed anddid not meet INEC-stipulated requirements. Addressed to then PDP Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, INEC observed that the congresses were splotched by violence and blithe disregard for the PDP constitution and INEC’s guidelines.
Addressing news conference, assured that they grey areas would be resolved ahead of new congress dates, having met with Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and National Chairman Bamanga Tukur.
“It’s true that Deputy President of the Senate and I went to the chairman’s house to see him,” he said. “But we will not take up issues on that because we respect our party chairman. We are not going to discuss our party issues on the pages of newspapers.”
