All arrangements are being concluded for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to hold a non-elective national convention in Abuja on August 12, 2017.
The tenure of the Ahmed Makarfi led Caretaker Committee is to expire on August 16, 2017. The non-elective convention is expected to extend Makarfi’s tenure to allow the Caretaker Committee conduct an elective convention before the end of the year.
The decision was arrived at on Tuesday, following series of consultative meetings involving the party’s National Caucus, the Board of Trustees, National Executive Committee and members of the Caretaker Committee.
Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting, spokesman of the PDP, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, explained that time constraint forced the party to opt for non-elective convention.
According to him, given the August 16 expiration of the tenure of the Caretaker Committee, it would be practically impossible to meet timelines prescribed by the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution for the conduct of elective convention.
Going by relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, the party is required within 21 days, to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in writing informing the commission of a pending elective convention.
As of Tuesday, the Makarfi-led leadership, which was only affirmed by the Supreme Court on July 12, has lost the 21-day window.
Also, one of the resolutions taken was the decision to disband the caretaker committees set up in Jigawa and Benue States by the sacked National Chairman, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff shortly after he was declared chairman by the Court of Appeal in February 2017.
The two state chapters have been directed to revert to their existing executive committees prior to their dissolution by Sheriff.
Many other states where parallel executives were set up by Sheriff are also to revert to their original status.
The party also announced plans to set up standing Disciplinary Committee and Reconciliation Committee to handle issues of discipline and reconciliation among members.
Adeyeye said the two committees would have no time frame and will permanently remain recognised bodies of the party.
The spokesman gave hints of amendment to a number of provisions of the party’s constitution, saying that draft of the proposed amendment had already been circulated to the relevant organs of the party for their scrutiny and input ahead of the August 12 convention.
According to him, the proposed amendment will be geared toward entrenching internal democracy and to check the culture of impunity within the party.
Adeyeye said the party will participate actively in the governorship election in Anambra State billed to hold in November, stressing that consultations were already ongoing.
He however said the meeting did not discuss the Lagos State local government election coming up on Saturday, saying that the matter has been left to the Lagos state chapter of the party to handle.
The meetings, which were held at the party’s secretariat attracted unprecedented number of party faithful across the six geopolitical zones in recent times.
The hitherto deserted building had sprung to life minutes after the Supreme Court pronounced Makarfi the authentic leader of the PDP on July 12.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan and all the governors elected on the platform of the party attended the meetings, same with members in the National Assembly.
Also in attendance were former governors, ex ministers, past party chairmen and other former executive members.
Sheriff and his loyalists, however, stayed away from the meetings.
Packaged by Alice Egbedele
