PDP governors pledge free, fair convention

…..As George wants party to trade with caution
Governors of states controlled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have pledged support for a free and fair National Convention of the party on Dec. 9.

This is as one of the chairmanship aspirant to the party’s Dec. 9 National Convention, Chief George Olabode has warned against any act that can cause further crisis in the party during the event.

Gombe State governor, Dr Ibrahim Dankwambo, made the pledge on behalf of the governors at the 77th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party in Abuja.

He said that party members were up and doing for the success of the convention, adding that there was need for party leaders to sit up and earn more respect from the members.

“PDP governors are solidly working with the National Caretaker Committee and all relevant stakeholders to ensure a free, fair and successful convention,” he said.

In his contribution, Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, commended all aspirants for conducting themselves rightly ahead of the exercise.

He advised managers of the convention to realise that the success of the party was dependent on its outcome.

Ekweremadu said that if the process was free and fair, the aspirants would peacefully accept the results even when they lost.

He, however, warned aspirants against making trouble after losing, saying “you may just be the victim.”

He urged all aspirants to have the interest of the party and of the nation at heart as they went into the convention.

Earlier, Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, had commended NEC for standing by the committee over the last 18 months.

He appreciated the aspirants for conducting themselves orderly as they sought votes and for bringing “free positive publicity to the party’’.

Makarfi urged the aspirants to continue to conduct themselves with decorum and see the election as a family affair and not do-or-die.

He said that like Nigeria, the party must remain united in spite of its diverse nature.

Also speaking on the same issue at a news conference in Abuja after submitting his nomination form for the chairmanship race, George said that the party could no longer afford further crisis, stressing the need to respect its constitution.

“We have to be extremely careful in managing the Dec. 9 convention; we can no longer afford another crisis.

“Impunity and lack of respect for party constitution must not be allowed,’’ he cautioned.

He said the party could not afford to entrust its leadership in the hands of novices or someone that had not been part of its management team.

The aspirant likened the party to a ship at sea hit with bad weather saying it needed a competent and experienced captain to safely sail it ashore.

The party chieftain said if PDP sank, it could spell doom for the country’ democracy.

Olabode said he was fit, experienced and was presenting himself for the service of the party and the country.

Also speaking, Mr Kola Ologbondinyan, who is aspiring to be the National Publicity Secretary of the party, said PDP was at a point where it needed the best hands to run its affairs.

Ologbondinyan said Nigerians were looking up to the PDP for a viable opposition that would strengthen the nation’s democracy and that their hopes must not be dashed.

He said in line with the party’s logo, it was time to rebrand it adding “the umbrella shields the people both from the sun and rain.”

Ologbondinyan challenged other aspirants to a public debate and said he was the most competent person for the office of the publicity secretary. (NAN)

Patrick Okohue with Agency Report