Thirty-three persons are gunning for top positions in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as it goes into its national convention at the end of this month.
Apart from the national chairman zoned to the north in which Prof Iyorchia Ayu (Benue) has already emerged as the consensus candidate of the zone, party stakeholders have been unable to reach common ground in other positions.
For the national deputy chairman (North), two top party members including Ambassador Umar Ilya Damagum (Yobe) and Hajiya Inna Ciroma (Borno) have presented themselves for the post.
Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja (Oyo) has resigned from his post as the South-West zonal vice chairman of the party to contend with Prof Adewale Oladipo (Osun) for the office of the national deputy chairman (south) just as the former national secretary of the party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun).
The national secretary post zoned to the South-East has three party members doing battle including the current director-general of the PDP Governors Forum, Hon. Cyril Maduabum (Anambra), Senator Samuel Anyanwu (Imo) and Chief Okey Muo-Aroh (Anambra).
The office of the national woman leader also has two aspirants including Prof. Stella Effa-Attoe (Cross River) and Hon. Divine Amina Arong (Cross River).
The office of the national youth leader similarly has two aspirants including Muhammed Kadade Suleiman (Kaduna) and Usman Elkudan (Kaduna).
Hon. Debo Ologunnagba (Lagos) and Dr Olafeso Eddy Eniola (Ondo) are fighting to be elected the new national spokesman of the party.
For the national auditor post, three persons, all from Anambra state, are also in the race including Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel, Ikechukwu Samben Nwosu and Mrs Chibuogwu Benson-Oraelosi.
The screening of the 33 aspirants began at Legacy House in Abuja Wednesday with the chairman of the screening committee and former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN, assuring that the committee would be fair to all.
Speaking at a press conference before the committee went into a closed-door session, he described the process as crucial to the return to power of the PDP as it signals the process of electing credible Nigerians.
He said Nigerians have been waiting for this moment to have democrats of proven track records of service to the party and the nation emerge.
While noting that the screening process is the beginning of the collective effort to bestow efficient leadership on the country at all levels, he assured of a free, fair and transparent process.
The former minister stated: “As you are well aware, the Screening Committee is charged with the responsibility of Screening aspirants for national officers of the party for the National Convention of our party. This assignment is crucial to the success of our Party, as it signals the beginning of the process of electing credible Nigerians to steer the affairs of our Party.
“I dare say that Nigerians have been waiting for a moment like this where committed democrats with a proven record of service to the Party and country will emerge and be elected to usher in a new lease of life in our party politics.
“Nigerians have been yearning for the kind of political leadership and governance that our party has over time provided for the country.
“The screening process for the election of the National officers of our party marks the beginning of our collective efforts to once more, bestow credible and effective leadership for the country at all levels. We cannot afford to fail!
“We are conscious of the expectation of members of our party especially the aspirants to the various elective positions for a free, fair credible and transparent process.
“We, therefore, assure you that we shall not only be guided by these ideals in the discharge of our duty but also, be meticulous in the observance of our party Guidelines, the Constitution of our great party and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Let the end this short address by reiterating that we know the enormity of the task our party has assigned to us and pledge that we shall be fair to all and be free from external influences and dictates. We shall justify the confidence reposed in us and deliver on our mandate in the best interest of our country.”
Adoke said despite the micro zoning of the offices done by the regions, anyone who had collected and returned nomination forms would be screened for the posts they applied for.
“Well, our work is to screen, anybody, appearing before us, so long as the person has obtained the form and it has been accepted will be screened in accordance with our guidelines,” he said in response to a question
He also assured that the screening exercise would be completed in 24 hours.
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PDP National Convention: 33 aspirants slug it out for NWC posts
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