BOT shuns party elders, says May 21 National Convention will hold

The Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has given party's National Working Committee (NWC) go ahead on the planned May 21 national convention regardless of opposition from some party elders.

The newly elected Secretary of PDP BOT, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, made the position known in Abuja on Monday, May 16, while briefing newsmen after the Board's meeting.

"In spite of the well-articulated reservations by well-respected and articulate elders and members that the convention should not go ahead, the BOT has decided to support the NWC that our national convention should hold on May 21," Maduekwe said.

"Secondly, that all the grievances that have been well articulated by well-meaning elders and interest groups would be clearly look into in the process of party reconciliation to see how we can carry everybody along."

He said that the grievances that would be given attention would be those aimed at making the party stronger and not to pull it down.

The scribe said the party would look into states that encountered problems in their congresses and make amendment.

Maduekwe added that the committee also resolved to urge the National Executive Committee to make a resolution at the convention that the party's 2019 presidential candidate should come from the north.

"Part of our resolution is also that the review of the party constitution should be suspended," he added.

Maduekwe said that the party's mid-term convention has also been scheduled for 2018.

"When that happens the position of chairmanship will automatically shift to the south in accordance with PDP constitution."

Answering questions, Professor Jerry Gana, a member of the BOT, made clarification on an allegation that he obtained N500 million from a bank in the name of the party.

Gana said that the money was obtained from the bank by the Fund-Raising Committee for 2015 general elections as the party was unable to finance its activities and the fund-raising dinner.

He said that an account was opened for the money of which the party financial secretary and treasurer were signatories.

He said the expectation was that the party would pay back the loan from the generated fund, adding that the matter is already in court since the party refused to pay.

It was also gathered that Senator Walid Jubrin was elected the substantive chairman of the BOT at the meeting.