National Convention: PDP ministers warn against pre-selection of delegates

They cautioned that it would be seen as lack of internal democracy that mortally injured the party in 2015.

The PDP Minister’s Forum stated this in a communiqué after its seven-hour meeting in Abuja over the May 21 proposed National Convention schedule.

Addressing newsmen, leader of the forum and former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki said: “The Forum re-affirmed its earlier position regarding the leadership of the party on the principle that while the minority will have their say, the majority will have their way.

“The Forum reiterates its stand that the party’s leadership should conduct transparent and credible congresses and national convention that will be in line with the party’s constitution.

The forum raised serious concerns over the arrangements and warned that should the convention not produce officers of the party that reflect the wishes of the people, it will portend continued disaster for the party in popular elections.

“The Ministers forum therefore recommends that wild spread consultations must precede the election of delegates to the convention. To have delegate that are pre-selected or pre-elected to return preferred candidate to National Officers will be seen as a perpetration of lack of internal democracy that mortally injured the party in 2015.

“The Ministers forum reaffirms its resolve to continue to interact with the BOT, Governors forum, National Assembly forum and the leadership of the party in an increased effort to play active role in their various state so as to ensure that state delegates elect national officers that will accelerate the renewal of the PDP as a truly National parties which it is.

“The Forum calls on the reconciliation committee to immediately commence the process of reconciliation of member immediately.

“Finally, we urge all members of the party and it National organs to rise to the demands of its rebuilding and rebranding by eschewing all selfishness and opportunism in approaching the convention.”

Other ministers that attended the meeting include ABC Nwosu; Musa Elayo; Ibrahim Shekarau; Jerry Gana; Steve Osu; John Odey; Bala Mohammed; Debum Onyia.