PDP Convention: Eagle Square ready; I have no preferred candidates – Jonathan; FRSC warns of traffic buildup in Abuja;

By EricJames Ochigbo, By Harrison Arubu, By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Eagle Square, Abuja, venue of Saturday National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was on Friday adorned with posters of aspirants of various positions to be contested during the exercise.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the public square, situated on a land measuring about five hectares, was fully draped with PDP colours of red, white, green.
As at 6.45 p.m., Public Address System engineers and their television stations counterparts were busy installing and testing their equipment at strategic locations to ensure effective courage of the event.
Security personnel have already been deployed to the venue and they were seen at different position in the 5,106-sitting capacity venue.
Some officials of the organising committee of the convention were seen conducting last minute inspection of the venue.
Some persons who refused to identify themselves took positions in a spot at the venue in a manner suggesting that they are likely to spend the night there ahead of the convention.
The persons brandished PDP membership cards but were suspected to have come from outside Abuja and may not be delegates.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan said that he had no preferred candidate for any of the elective positions in the Saturday National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Jonathan disclosed this in a felicitation message issued by his Media Office on Friday in Abuja.
The former president said he was prepared to work with all those that would emerge as new leaders in the interest of the party and nation.
Jonathan said that the clarification was important contrary to speculations and permutations by some interest groups.
“Dr Jonathan has never discussed or plotted with others against the ambition of any of the candidates, as is being falsely reported by those who are bent on spreading negative stories against the
immediate past president.
“The former President is therefore optimistic that the convention will produce a positive outcome that will help the PDP consolidate its position as the party with the best democratic ideals in the country,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the convention would produce positive outcomes which would help “the
party regain its pride of place in the affairs of the nation”.
Jonathan extended his felicitations to the candidates, delegates, convention committee members and other party faithful, for their interest and participation at the convention.
“The former President is pleased with the dedication and enthusiasm of all party members towards building a strong PDP.
He wished all participants successful deliberations in their bid to freely elect members of the National Working Committee, that would lead the party for the next four years.
“Jonathan is impressed with the level of preparations for the convention, especially with the number of the candidates, the spread and vibrancy of the campaigns, which has established a new paradigm for intra-party elections, in the country.”

Meanwhile,the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has warned of an impending traffic buildup in Abuja occasioned by Saturday’s national convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The Corps Public Education Officer, Mr Bisi Kazeem, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday.

Kazeem said an increase in vehicular and human traffic was expected in roads around the Eagle Square, venue of the convention.

He stressed the need for motorists and other road users to be cautious, patient and cooperative with traffic management officials during the event.

He, however, assured the public that the FRSC had made adequate arrangements to ensure free-flow of traffic in the city during the event.

“There is going to be increase in human and vehicular traffic especially around the venue of the event, and roads leading to Abuja.

“But we have adequately deployed men and logistics to cater for motorists coming in from Lokoja, Kaduna, Niger and Nasarawa States.

“We have beefed up our patrol and ambulance points on the roads.

“From Friday night until Sunday, our men will be at the various junctions leading to the venue of the event.

“Our own is traffic control to safeguard the lives of Nigerians.

“We don’t want crash, and that is why we are calling for caution and patience among motorists and other road users in Abuja on Saturday,” he said.

Kazeem also called on Nigerians to obey traffic rules and regulations to avoid road carnage during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
I have no preferred candidates in the Saturday PDP convention – Jonathan