PDP Convention: Dickson cautions against imposition of candidates

Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has warned against the imposition of candidates by the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the party’s forthcoming national convention, saying that such an act will tear the party apart and lead to another round of crises within the party.

Governor Dickson disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, in Abuja, signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Francis Agbo.

The governor, who was also the Chairman of the PDP’s Reconciliation Committee said that the December 9 national convention of the party was very critical, as its success would shape the future of the party and re-position it to take over the central government in 2019, just as he canvassed for the creation of a level-playing field for all aspirants in a transparent convention, adding that it would make the party stronger and more cohesive.

Dickson stressed his opposition to the imposition of candidates, calling on the PDP leaders and delegates to make sacrifices for the unity of the party. He stressed that if the PDP gets its national convention right, it is likely to hold a successful Presidential Primary in 2018.

He maintained that in a situation where party stakeholders/delegates were unable to reach a consensus on any position, the party should allow all aspirants who have bought nomination forms to test their popularity on the convention ground.

He warned that the party’s leadership should do all within its powers to ensure that the convention is conducted in a manner that would not plunge the party into another round of crisis, just as he warned them to resist the temptation of hijacking the convention and the rights of the delegates to choose leaders of their choice.

He said, “The next convention is critical to the survival of the party. My position is that the party should organize an all-inclusive, transparent, acceptable, and credible convention that would re-brand the PDP and show our platform as a truly democratic party. “Therefore, I am against all forms of manipulations, intimidation, blackmail and imposition of candidates.

For me, there should be no imposition at all. “I will not be a party to the adoption of anybody for any office unless it is by consensus of the zone in which the position has been zoned to.

If there is more than one contestant for a position, they should be given the opportunity to test their popularity at the convention.” Dickson said, “A leader, no matter how highly placed should not take the place of the Convention and the powers of the delegates to the convention.

“Therefore, on the position of Chairman and other offices, once there is more than a contestant, PDP leaders and members should be free to canvass for any candidate of their choice; nobody should quarrel with that…” Dickson expressed optimism that Nigerians have so much trust on the PDP; and the forthcoming National Convention as an opportunity that will usher in a re-branded and united PDP, which everybody will be happy to embrace in 2019.

Myke Uzendu, Abuja