National convention: PDP gets caretaker committee

NATIONAL CONVENTION : PDP GETS CARETAKER COMMITTEE

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, 2016 National Convention in Port Harcourt on Saturday approved the setting up of a caretaker committee to run the affairs of the party for three months and also organise the next national convention.

The Caretaker Committee of the PDP has Former Kaduna State Governor, Senator Ahmed Markarfi as Chairman with Senator Ben Obi as Secretary.

The motion for the setting up of the Caretaker Committee was moved by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Godswil Akpabio and Seconded by Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwanbo.
The Chairman of the PDP National Convention Planning Committee, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike put the question to delegates of the National Convention which they unanimously approved.

Earlier, Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Austin Opara moved a motion for the dissolution of the National Working Committee and the removal of national officers of the party. The motion was seconded by Rt Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Governor Wike, Chairman of the National Convention Planning Committee, put the question to the National Convention, which was duly approved.

Also at the 2016 National Convention, the PDP approved the setting aside of the zoning formula previously approved by the National Executive Committee . The National Convention also approved the zoning of the 2019 Presidential Candidate of the PDP to the North.

Addressing the National Convention, the Chairman of the National Convention Planning Committee and Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike said that the new PDP Caretaker Committee will only organise the National Convention within 90 days.

The 2016 Port Harcourt National Convention was observed by a team of INEC officials detailed by the commission's headquarters.

Governor Wike said that none of the members of the Caretaker Committee will contest at the National Convention that they will organise.

In his acceptance speech after he was sworn in, Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Markarfi thanked the National Convention for giving them the opportunity to serve and reposition the party.

He said: "Non of us is seeking for any party office. We will work towards rebuilding the party ".
The 2016 National Convention of the PDP witnessed great speeches by party leaders.
Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jubril while endorsing the 2016 National Convention in Port Harcourt, said that the leaders would work towards greater unity within the party.

Former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus while declaring the convention open, regretted that the APC has failed the people of the country through poor governance which has translated to suffering and poverty across the country.

Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu said in 2019 PDP will stage a come-back because APC has destroyed the legacies bequeathed it by the PDP.
Former Senate President, Senator David Mark noted that as a result of the degeneration of the country, Nigerians will, "change the change " in 2016.

Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, said Nigerians are now suffering extreme hunger, insecurity and poverty under the administration of the APC.

He said the governors will do everything within their capacity to strengthen the Party. He said already Nigerians are clamouring for the PDP because after one year, everything has been crippled in the country.

The National Convention attracted delegates from the 36 states of the Federation. The 12 Governors of the PDP, National and State Assembly members, Former Governors, Board of Trustees members and Former National Working Committee members attended the event.

Simeon Nwakaudu,
Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media.
21st May, 2016.