2017 Convention: PDP elects new leaders (LIVE UPDATES)
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The Peoples Democratic Party is holding its national convention at the Eagle Square, Abuja, today.
Unlike the last convention in Port Harcourt which was doomed by lawsuits that went up to the Supreme Court, today’s event appears less controversial.
Delegates and other party faithful from across the country have been arriving at the nation’s capital for the big event since last week.
About 3,000 delegates — elected and statutory— are expected to vote to fill the positions of the national chairman and several other national offices.
An official list of all the candidates and their targeted offices is expected to be released later today.
The party has been under the supervision of different interim national executives since May 2015 when Adamu Mu’azu resigned as part of the fallout from the 2015 election woes.
Mr. Mu’azu, a former governor of Bauchi State, was confirmed as the party’s national chairman in January 2014.
Nine people were cleared to run in the race for the chairmanship, but some of them have started standing down since last night, amidst controversy over the party’s internal arrangements.
Taoheed Adedoja, Tunde Adeniran, Raymond Dokpesi, Jimi Agbaje, Gbenga Daniel, Olabode George, Uche Secondus, Rasheed Ladoja and Segun Aderemi have spent the last few weeks traveling the country to canvass support.
It is not immediately clear if he has urged his potential delegates to support a specific contender, but his anger was directed at Governor Nyesom Wike, who has been pushing for Mr. Secondus’ victory.
The PDP reserved the chairmanship for the south after resolving to let the presidential ticket go to the north.
There are indications that more candidates from the Southwest are on the verge of announcing their withdrawal to settle on a consensus from the zone.
Whoever the region picks would slug it out with either Mr. Secondus or Mr. Dokpesi or both at the convention ground.
Reporters from PREMIUM TIMES are at the Eagle Square and will be providing live updates of happenings there:
PREMIUM TIMES denied accreditation to cover PDP convention
PREMIUM TIMES has been denied accreditation to cover Saturday’s national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party holding at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
The newspaper was advised on Thursday to submit a written request with names of reporters who would attend the event.
The letter was submitted and the party’s publicity unit promised to get accreditation tags ready for collection by Friday evening.
However, when PREMIUM TIMES reporters arrived the party’s Wadata Plaza office Saturday morning as advised, they were told the tags had finished.
Many other newspapers, especially those from outside Abuja, were also not accredited for the event.
Jimi Agbaje withdraws from PDP chairmanship election
Another aspirant to the office of the national chairman of PDP, Jimi Agbaje, has withdrawn from the race.
The withdrawal was announced on his verified Twitter handle, @Jimiagbaje, on Saturday, few hours before the commencement of the national convention to elect new leaders for the PDP.
In a letter addressed to the PDP National Convention Planning Committee, Mr. Agbaje said the PDP had from inception adopted the principle of zoning offices among the country’s geo-political zones.
“In line with such zoning and other parameters I have at different fora, expressed my strong belief that the next National Chairman of our great party should come from the South West,” he said.
He also said he was however, convinced that “with 7 out of all 9 aspirants coming from the South West, this multiplicity of co tenders will work to the detriment of our zone when it comes to voting”.
Mr. Agbaje said delegates’ votes split seven ways will not produce a chairman from the South West, adding, “ it therefore becomes necessary to prune our members down to no more than two”.
He also urged other aspirants from the zone to follow him by stepping down so that the zone “ can have a fighting chance of clinching the National Chairmanship of the PDP”.
Another stalwart of the party from the South West, Bode George, had also announced his withdrawal from the race on Friday evening.
11.34: Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar arrives Eagles Square.
11.39: Governors Fayose of Ekiti State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia and Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, habe also arrived the convention ground.
11.47: Arrivals of DSP, Ekweremadu and Raymond Dokpesi to Eagles Square
PDP Convention formally begins with a National Anthem.
Some 2,800 delegates will later vote for new NWC members.
Tight security in and around Eagles Square venue of the convention.
A member of the National Convention Planning Committee and former Governor of Niger state, Babangida Aliyu, earlier told members of the press that the security measures were taken because of the recent information of likely terror attack in Abuja.
All delegates and other accredited officials are conveyed to the venue in specially arranged buses from various pick up points in the city.
Delta state Governor and Chairman of Convention Planning Committee, Ifeanyi Okowa, in his speech assures of a credible convention.
He also asked for cooperation from all delegates and expressed the determination of the committee to “deliver the best elective process”.
He also said some aspirants from various positions have withdrawn from the race.
The national chairman will speak on that.
Party caretaker chairman Makarfi begins with a tribute to the founding fathers of the PDP.
He calls for a one-minute of silence in honour of one of the founding fathers of the party, former Vice president Alex Ekwueme.
He says after 2015, there is need for introspect to make amends and know how to move forward.
He thanks the party for appointing him to lead the caretaker committee.
Mr. Makarfi says end of litigation does not mean end of challenges for the PDP.
“We took difficult decisions with a better PDP in mind.
“We have laid a good foundation for the rebirth of the PDP. Hence those who left are either coming back or knocking on our doors.
“Our doors remain wide open for both returnees and new members,” he says.
He says all will be treated equally.
“In words and action we must continue to reassure members that loyalty to the party pays.
“Our women have been blazing the trail in several endeavors.
“Youth must be factored in everything because sooner or later they will be taking over. They should be prepared for the task ahead by exposing them to leadership and its vagaries.
“Part of it is to ensure that they receive quality education.
“Party should amend its constitution to make provision for students bursary loans.”
Mr. Makarfi says PDP has refused to play the kind of opposition APC played before 2015 because “we love the country”.
“We are proud to bequeath a legacy of responsible opposition.
“We must continue to show that opposition is not madness.
“We continue to remind the government that Nigerians are hungry.
“Insecurity in the north east is coming back. So is kidnapping and other criminalities.
“Government must up its game.
Joblessness has never been this bad,” he says.
Mr. Makarfi says all decisions taken were in the best interest of the PDP.
He says despite the hiccups, PDP will bounce back.
The next to speak is the National Secretary of the caretaker committee, Ben Obi, who will present the State of the Party address.
Next is the amendment of the constitution of the PDP.
Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa moves the motion for the amendment of the preamble of the constitution to reflect contemporary realities.
Section 8 is to be amended to change the procedure for rejoining the party by members who left and want to return.
Section 50 is to be amended to relax the minimum time requirements before members can seek for election to offices of the party.
Section 29 is to be amended to make the six national vice chairmen members of the NEC of the PDP constitution.
Section 41 (1) is amended to strengthen the powers of the national auditor.
Section 31(1) d is amended to give chairman and BOT members voting rights in NEC.
Section 32 which deals with composition and membership of BOT is to be amended.
All amendments should take effect on January 1, 2018.
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