The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday presented a timetable for its 2016 congresses and national convention, a meant move seen by many as to appease some aggrieved members especially those from the North-East.
The statement as signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, the NWC fixed March 12, 2016 for state congresses, while zonal congresses would hold on March 16, 2016. According to the statement, the national convention to elect new national officers would hold on March 19.
The NWC at the end of its meeting on Wednesday, arrived at the decision as part of measures to disabuse the minds of party faithful from the North-East, who are already kicking against Secondus from the South-South.
These moves may not be unconnected with the case in court where a former Special Adviser to former President, Goodluck Jonathan, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, had dragged the PDP and Secondus, before an Abuja High Court, over his (Secondus) continued stay in office, submitting that it was “a gross violation of the party’s constitution.”
Gulak, in the suit filed by his lawyer, J. S. Okutapa (SAN), said as a registered member from Madagali Local Government Area of Adamawa State, North-East zone, he was qualified for the position, which he alleged he was being denied.
even in the face of the new directive, Gulak has vowed to pursue the case against PDP and Secondus.
He dismissed the timetable as a ploy by the national leadership of the party to buy time and ultimately perpetuate its grip on the administration of the main opposition party.
In his words, he said: “I’m not aware of the timetable. But the idea behind such is to buy time and for the NWC members to perpetuate themselves in office.
“The release of the timetable won’t stop the case we instituted in court. Rather than stop the case, the court action would even stop the convention.
“The NWC also bypassed the NEC of the party and unilaterally picked dates for the convention. That is illegal,” he said.
-Emmanuel Ikechukwu
