Sokoto state governor, Aminu waziri Tambuwal on Monday, emerged the chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governors forum.
This is coming just the PDP has officially asked the immediate past governor of Imo state, Emeka Ihedioha to petition the Supreme Court judgement. The party is calling for review and reverse of the verdict.
Although the party did not reveal the exact date the petition against the Imo judgement would be filed.
However, sources at the PDP secretariat confided in our correspondent that the legal team is almost done with drafting of the petition, and may file it “between Tuesday and Wednesday, this week.”
Also, the PDP has disowned some chieftains of the party (names not mentioned) who it said are clamouring for the party to change name.
Specifically, the party may be referring to Doyin Okupe, a former spokesman to former President Goodluck Jonathan, and others were said to be spearheading the party’s name change clamour.
For new PDP governors leadership, Tambuwal replaces Bayelsa state governor, Seriake Dickson whose tenure will elapse on February 3.
The emergency of Tambuwal followed a unanimously resolve of the PDP governors. They appointed Tambuwal as their chairman, without any election or rancour. Tambuwal’s predecessor, Dickson was however, conspicuously absent at the NEC meeting.
This was the outcome of the 88th national Executive Council Meeting (NEC) of the opposition party which was held at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata plaza, in Abuja on Monday.
In his acceptance speech, Tambuwal assured that he will run an inclusive administration and bring the governor’s togther so as move the party forward.
“We assure you as your governors that we shall continue to work together in unity and with the NWC in ensuring that the programmes of the party especially in our respective states in line with our manifestoes are implemented. And we shall also continue to support the party in its drive for membership and development.
“All the issues that the chairman has raisee, we have taken them and by the grace of God, we shall work together with them in ensuring that we deepen democracy in our dear country and we want to say to the chairman that in the forthcoming congresses, we are going to you all the support that you require as your governors. We should use them to further deepen democracy by being transparent so that we cannot to win more members and build a more virile party,” Tambuwal stated.
During the NEC meeting, Monday, the PDP accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of running a dictatorial government and for attempting to force a one party system in the country.
Uche Secondus, National Chairman of the party, while addressing the NEC, announced that the party will not entertain anti-democratic tenets and consequently directed the sacked Imo governor, Ihedioha to quickly petition the Supreme Court judgement.
“At the last NEC meeting approval was given for a nationwide protest rally against the Supreme Court ruling on Imo state. The states held rallies on Sunday January 19th while the National rally was staged on Monday January 20th in Abuja. I can report to NEC that the protest was a huge success as it underlined our resolve to defend democracy.
“The NWC wishes to report to NEC that the party after extensive consultations with legal experts has decided to fully back our Imo state governorship candidate Rt Hon. Emeka Ihedioha as he returns to the Supreme Court to seek their review and possible reversal of the January 14 curious judgement.
“We are highly optimistic that the Justices may bow to superior reason and reverse themselves by returning the mandate to the PDP. that the PDP is ready to contend with APC’s anti-democratic antics. He however, urged the National Assembly to ensure amendment of the electoral Act to end all election irregularities.
“If the 9th Assembly is concerned about growth of democracy in our country they should take urgent needful steps to save our democracy by making amendment of the Electoral Act a top priority. We are therefore calling on them to commence a comprehensive review of the Electoral Act immediately,” Secondus stated.
Meanwhile, Senator Walid Jibrin, chairman of the PDP Board of Trustee (BoT) has insisted that the party will not be involved in any effort by some chieftains to change it name.
“I am also disappointed with the comments I read in the newspapers allegedly by a chieftain of our party of a plan to change the name of PDP again. Please, count the BoT out of any effort to change the name of this party. We shall never allow it,” Walid stated.
In a communique issued after the NEC meeting, and read by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party resolved to constitute a committee for the review of 2019 elections so as to be able to help in the agitation for electoral reforms.
The party further resolved that in line with its guidelines, in all electoral offices whether party offices or electoral offices, with gender sensitive nature, women should have at least 35% of offices that are contested for.
“The Peoples Democratic Party rose from its 88th NEC meeting with a resolution mandating the Senators and members of House of Rep to begin immediately the amendment process of all our electoral laws in such a way that we engender free, fair and credible electoral process in the country.
“The party also expressed concerns about landmines created by the All Progressive Congress to turn our country into a one party state. Our party also says that no democracy can thrive in a situation where the legislative arm and the judiciary are caged.
“Our party believes that there are signs of dictatorship in our nation today and as such, our members in the national assembly were further charged to ensure that they use on their legislative instrument to ensure that our country is not reduced to to a dictatorship.
“A committee has been constituted for the review of 2019 election and what transpired in other to be able to help in the agitation for electoral reforms.
“We are reconciling in Edo state and the party has met with critical stake holders in Edo state to ensure that they bury their hatchets where there are issues,” it stated.
Solomon Ayado, Abuja
