Ahead of today’s National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party scheduled for Ibadan, the Board of Trustees Reconciliation Committee has recommended an all inclusive Caretaker Committee to resolve the issues bedeviling the party.
According to the reconciliation committee, this has become imperative because a convention that will not be accepted by all members will incapacitate the ability of the party to field candidates at all levels nationally.
Since the National Convention was announced, some PDP members loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have insisted that some issues, including the conduct of congresses, be resolved.
The development has led to the factionalisation of the party with Ambassador Umar Damagum and Abdulrahman Muhammed heading the two factions of the party.
While the Damagum group insisted on today’s convention, the Abdulrahman camp canceled the convention following the judgment of the Abuja Federal High Court.
But a copy of the report of the reconciliation committee sighted by our correspondent recommended that the conduct of the convention must be subject to favourable legal status and disposition of INEC.
According to the committee, “Considering the multiple court orders and judgements INEC is not likely going to monitor the Convention. Accordingly, an all inclusive Care Takers Committee (CTC) is recommended because a failed convention will incapacitate the tenability of the party to field candidates at all levels nationally.”
The reconciliation committee also advised that the suspension orders should be lifted and all parties brought together for genuine reconciliation, among others.
Addressing journalists on Friday on the development,
George Turna (PDP South-South Zonal leader) said many of them were in support of the reconciliation efforts and the recommendations of the BoT committee.
Turna, who is loyal to the Abdulrahman faction of the party, said the committee’s recommendations were clear, adding that the party must return to constitutional order, reconcile, and then organise a credible convention that meets legal standards.
He said Justice Omotosho’s earlier judgment was already before the Court of Appeal.
He said, “Once a matter is before the appellate court, all parties must maintain the status quo. You cannot proceed with a convention.
“Furthermore, Justice Lifu’s judgment today stopping the convention on unlawful exclusion of former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido strengthens this. If they proceed, they will be acting in open violation of the law.”
