REVEALED: Why the PDP is desperate for a convention

– The Peoples Democratic Party is currently suffering from two court orders, but it insists its convention must hold

– The party said the convention is aimed to produce a new set of leaders that would effectively wrestle power from the APC

– The PDP believes that the country is in disarray just one year into the President Muhammadu Buhari government

The chairman of the publicity sub-committee of the convention, Onyema Ugochukwu, has revealed that the need to rescue Nigerians from the confusion they have been thrown into by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration necessitated the convention planned by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Wednesday, August 17, 2016.

Ugochukwualso said a total of 90 aspirants were contesting for the 22 open positions in the PDP.

The positions will be filled at the convention slated for Rivers state.

There are currently two rulings by two different courts, one against the convention and the other in favour of the event. The party has said it would obey the latter ruling and go ahead with the exercise.

A statement from Ugochukwu and reported by Premium Times, said the aspirants are five are for the position of national chairman, four for first deputy national chairman (south) and five for second deputy national chairman (north).

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Apart from these, five aspirants want the position of the national secretary, while two are pursuing the position of deputy national secretary and six are vying for the office of national publicity secretary.

“In compliance with the PDP’s constitution from inception, all regional interests are usually accommodated in recognition of the country’s diversity, and as such, the PDP has zoned the 2019 presidency to the north and the national chairmanship to the south.

“Other positions have also been zoned between North and South for equitable representation in the Party, respectively.

“The successful outcome of the August 17, 2016 national convention will usher in fresh leaders that will manage the affairs of our great party, the PDP, in order to rescue Nigerians from confusion and strife that the APC-led government has imposed on all of us.

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“The PDP will continue playing its role after the convention as the main opposition party by providing alternative governance and remaining a solution-driven political party to help the government in power, and reposition itself to regain power in 2019 for our common good,” he said.

He added: “Nigerians are yearning for the return of the PDP to power given the fast disappearing democratic gains the Party achieved in 16 years of its administration.

“It is noteworthy that all the values associated with our great country as the giant of Africa and the fastest growing economy in Africa is being eroded.

“Just last week, South Africa has overtaken Nigeria as the biggest economy in Africa; herdsmen attack and kidnapping is becoming more prevalent; ethnic and tribal agitation for self-determination is on the increase; and the government of the day is helpless in providing solution to all of these numerous problems bedeviling our dear nation.

“We are ready to make amends as a Party and we are working with all stakeholders across the Country to restore our past glory.”

Meanwhile, just hours before its national convention, the Ahmed-Makarfi-led faction of the PDP suffered a major setback as one of its chieftains; Doyin Okupe has expressed support for the Ali Modu Sheriff camp.

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