Ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party National Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, the party’s governors have restated their dedication to transparency and internal democracy, pledging to sustain the PDP’s unity, strength, and relevance as Nigeria’s foremost political party.
Speaking during the meeting of the PDP National Convention Organising Committee Protocol Sub-Committee on Monday in Abuja, Chairman of the NCOC and Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, alongside the Protocol Sub-Committee Chairman and Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, reaffirmed the party leaders’ commitment to conducting the convention as planned.
After months of internal crisis, the PDP, at its 101st National Executive Committee meeting on July 24, resolved to restructure and reposition the party by convening a National Elective Convention in Ibadan, where 19 new members of the National Working Committee are expected to be elected.
However, the camp of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed dissatisfaction with the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee over issues relating to the South-South zonal structure, leadership in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau States, as well as the convention micro-zoning formula.
The group has cautioned that the convention may not hold as planned if the party fails to review its position.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the PDP National Convention Organising Committee, Fintiri, affirmed their total commitment to ensuring success, stressing that every effort and sacrifice is being made to guarantee a smooth and victorious convention.
Adamawa State Governor stated, “And to reassure you that on our side, we are fully committed and will not leave any stone unturned. We are putting in our best and making sacrifices for us to have a successful convention and battle.
“The Chairman (Mutfwang) said I will be there (Ibadan) one week; I may be there three weeks, because to me, apart from Islam, PDP is next to any association that I believe has given me everything that I have achieved in life. So I will forever remain grateful to this party.
“And like he said, not under our leadership, not during our time, will we let this party down. People, as you can see and hear from their comments, are determined.
“And I assure you, with the kind of calibre of men and women that we are going to produce as our leaders to handle this party in the NWC after the convention, they are also going to be men and women of worth. When we parade them, the country will know that yes, the PDP is still alive.
“We are going to deny anybody from going into the election. I am also going to ensure that we sit even in the screening committee to see that they don’t do any hanky-panky.
“Everybody who has purchased forms for screening, once he does not have any encumbrances in their documents or in their past lifestyle, will be screened.
“Go and test your popularity in the field. Go and test your popularity because we are already finalising the names of the delegates.”
He assured that the delegates’ list would be released in the same manner as the subcommittee names were made public.
“So, you can still move around and canvass for votes. It is not as if we are running a closed system; it’s open. So, there’s nothing to worry about. It’s a true democracy.
“If you feel you are popular, go to the field and test your strength. But I know at the end of the day, those who are most popular, those who will be supported by the majority, will be victorious.
“I want to assure you that even when we had our inaugural meeting, it wasn’t as full as this. So, it’s telling you that life is moving back to the party. People are beginning to trust what we are doing.
“People are beginning to show commitment to what we are doing. And at the end of the day, we will give you the kind of responsible leadership that is required to steer this party.
“PDP is not a small party. It is the biggest and largest party in sub-Saharan Africa. So, nothing less is expected to be put into it.
“Please, make sacrifices, you know what I mean. Make sacrifices and don’t mind any noise that you hear. We will be victorious at the end of it.”
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the Protocol Sub-Committee, Mutfwang, stated that the high level of commitment towards the Ibadan convention demonstrates that the PDP remains vibrant and active.
He stated, “Today’s meeting demonstrates the fact that the PDP is very much alive and that we are taking the Convention very seriously. That is why we are discharging our duties with every sense of responsibility.
“I have always advocated that those who started the PDP will not want or wish that it should die in our time.
“We therefore have a responsibility to make sure that we keep the platform alive for the people of Nigeria.
“I am sure that if we are going to have a smooth convention, the work of this committee becomes very important.
“We will be the ones to cross the T’s and dot the I’s. If you see any meeting well organised, with a lot of ease and flow, it’s because the protocol was well handled.
“It therefore means that our job is cut out for us. The essence of this inaugural meeting is for us to know ourselves, because our job is not in Abuja.
“Our job is in Ibadan at the appropriate time. It means we will have to arrive in Ibadan before other delegates.”
