[PDP NEC SILENT ON JONATHAN’S SECOND TERM] ----------------------- The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday halted the conduct of its South-West Zonal Congress scheduled to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, tomorrow. Rather, the party opted for its Special National Convention, hitherto scheduled for Saturday, August 31, by the Prof. Jerry Gana-led Special Convention Planning Committee. The decision to call off the congress was one of the resolutions of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held in Abuja yesterday. The NEC was however, silent on the adoption of President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term which was widely speculated to top the meeting’s agenda. Recall that the South-west congress has been subject of litigations as both Mr. Segun Oni and Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, the immediate past zonal chairman and national secretary, respectively had instituted separate appeals challenging the courts’ pronouncements on their removal as national officers of the party. A Federal High Court in Osogbo, Osun State capital, in a suit instituted by Prince Oyinlola had also restrained the PDP from conducting any election to fill the position of national secretary which he vacated. In a communique issued yesterday at the end of the 62nd NEC meeting, it premised the decision to stop South-West congress on the injunction restraining it. But it mandated the Gana committee to proceed with the conduct of special convention, slated for August 31. Part of the resolutions of the PDP NEC signed by its acting National Secretary, Caesar Okeke, reads:”NEC unanimously approved and ratified 31 August, 2013 as the date for the Special National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). NEC commended the Special Congresses and Convention Planning Committee for the efforts so far put in place in the preparation for the convention. “NEC acknowledged the service of a court injunction restraining the conduct of the South-West Zonal Congress earlier scheduled for Saturday, 24th of August, 2013. “In line with our avowed disposition to uphold the rule of law and in deference to the court ruling, NEC unanimously approved the postponement of the South-West Zonal Congress. Consequently, NEC directed the National Working Committee (NWC) to follow through the court process and when concluded set a new date for the South West Zonal Congress.” In his remarks at the opening session before the meeting dissolved into closed door, President Goodluck Jonathan expressed delight over what he called the capacity of the party to resolve its differences and shame its detractors whom he claimed were praying for the demise of the ruling party.to be continued
Posted on: Fri, 23 Aug 2013 10:08:55 +0000