PDP convention: We’re handling litigations on delegates list – Gov. Okowa; We’re going as a united family – Edo PDP

By Emmanuel Oloniruha, Abuja/ Deborah Coker, Benin,

Oct. 26, 2021

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Accreditation Sub-Committee has said efforts are ongoing to resolve litigations regarding the delegates’ list to the Oct. 30 national convention of the party holding in Abuja this weekend.

The Chairman of the Sub-committee and Governor of Delta, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, stated this during the sub-committee’s meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said that the party and its various committees for the convention are putting everything in place to ensure that the national convention is hitch-free.

Okowa assured that all issues regarding some states in court over conflicting delegates list will be amicably resolved.

“We are also trying to look at all the issues, including some people trying to stop some delegates at the court.

“But I think we are on top of all that, we will handle it and at the end of the day, by Thursday, we will have the total accredited number of delegates.

“So, I will give you the number of delegates when we meet on Friday morning.

“We are not worried about what is going on. We always have a way of resolving our issues and God is always with us.

“You can see that most of the positions and aspirants are unopposed. So that shows you that the party is on course for a successful National Convention,” Okowa said.

He said that in Ekiti and one other state, PDP still has issues of people contending in court as to whether some elected officials at the state should be on the list or not.

He said that the party’s legal adviser will offer his advice on how to go about the issue.

“We may likely not have conflicting delegates, but wherever we think that there is a court order, we have no choice than to exit those delegates.

“Except for the statutory delegates, who by their right and positions held in the past are not by reasons of election supposed to be delegates,” he said.

Okowa said that no fewer than 3,000 delegates are expected at the national convention, adding that the delegates know themselves.

Okowa also said the accreditation sub–committee was critical to the success of the party’s national convention, adding that the sub-committee is working hard to get it right.

“We do realise that if we get the process of accreditation right, we will largely have gotten the convention right. We do not pray that we get it wrong,” Okowa said.

Meanwhile, the Edo State chapter of the party, on Tuesday said it would attend the PDP National convention as a united family.

Mr Chris Nehikhare, State Publicity Secretary of the party, announced this while briefing newsmen on the state of preparedness of the chapter for the convention.

Nehikhare disclosed that the state chapter had prepared all its elected national and statutory delegates for the election of the national executives.

“And the first step we will be taking is to elect the new executive during the convention. An executive that will pilot the party to victory come 2023.

“In doing that, the party a couple of days ago unveiled the convention logo, slogan and theme with the title: ”Come let’s rescue Nigeria together”.

“It is our umbrella covering over Nigeria, and you know our umbrella is big enough to accommodate all manners and shades of people for the common good of the country,” he said.

He disclosed that the party’s plan was to have a country where there would be security, vibrant economy, affordable living standard, affordable health and education which is key to sustainable development for the country.

“So the clarion call for Nigerians to come and join hands with the PDP to rescue the country cannot be done at a better time than now.

“That is why we want everybody to join hands to rescue Nigeria, because doing nothing, changes nothing.

“We all have to understand that Nigeria is our country,” he said.

Nehikhare also announced that just as national positions were zoned to other states, the position of the Deputy National Youth Leader had been zoned to Edo.

He disclosed that the state chapter already had a candidate for the position, in the person of Mr. Timothy Osadolor.