*Screening Committee clears 9 chairmanship aspirants
*South-East caucus endorses Secondus for National Chairman
Former President Goodluck Jonathan said that he had no preferred candidate for any of the elective positions in Saturday’s National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Jonathan disclosed this in a felicitation message issued by his Media Office on Friday in Abuja.
The former president said he was prepared to work with all those that would emerge as new leaders in the interest of the party and nation.
Jonathan said that the clarification was important contrary to speculations and permutations by some interest groups.
“Dr Jonathan has never discussed or plotted with others against the
ambition of any of the candidates, as is being falsely reported by
those who are bent on spreading negative stories against the
immediate past president.
“The former President is therefore optimistic that the convention will
produce a positive outcome that will help the PDP consolidate its
position as the party with the best democratic ideals in the country,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the convention would produce positive outcomes which would help “the party regain its pride of place in the affairs of the nation”.
Jonathan extended his felicitations to the candidates, delegates, convention committee members and other party faithful, for their interest and participation at the convention.
“The former President is pleased with the dedication and enthusiasm of all party members towards building a strong PDP.
He wished all participants successful deliberations in their bid to freely elect members of the National Working Committee, that would lead the party for the next four years.
“Jonathan is impressed with the level of preparations for the convention, especially with the number of the candidates, the spread and vibrancy of the campaigns, which has established a new paradigm for intra-party elections, in the country.”
Meanwhile, the PDP’s screening committee has cleared all the nine aspirants vying for the position of national chairman of the party.
Chairman of the Screening Committee, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, disclosed this when he addressed journalists on the exercise at the party Secretariat on Friday in Abuja.
Ize-Iyamu, who commended the peaceful conduct by the candidates, expressed optimism that the convention would be credible.
The cleared candidates are: Prince Uche Secondus, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Taoheed Adedoja, Chief Olabode George, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Sen.Rashidi Ladoja, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Chief Jimi Agbaje and Aderemi Olusegun.
In his brief remarks, Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee and Governor of Delta, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, pledged the readiness of the committee to conduct credible and transparent convention.
Okowa also assured that adequate steps had been taken to secure the Eagles Square, venue of the convention.
“We are very much aware of the security alert about Abuja. The security committee is working very closely with the security agencies to ensure a smooth convention,” said Okowa.
The governor added that security sub-committee was “working very closely with the police and relevant security agencies,” to ensure a smooth exercise.
He, however, said that only properly accredited journalists would be allowed entrance to the convention venue.
Chairman, Post-Convention Planning Committee and Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson tasked all aspirants to demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship before, during and after the contest.
He said that the spirit of sportsmanship was key, adding that only one candidate would win the election.
Dickson, who thanked Okowa for his work described the convention planning committee members as credible people, adding that that the party had confidence in them.
Dickson advised the candidates to feel free to approach the committee, to seek clarification on any issue pertaining to the convention.
In a related development, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-East Stakeholders Caucus said it had endorsed Prince Uche Secondus as its preferred National chairmanship candidate.
The National Vice-Chairman (South-East) of the party, Mr Austine Umahi, disclosed this at a media conference after the caucus meeting on Friday in Abuja.
Umahi said the caucus took the decision after a careful consideration of Secondus’ “Content and character.”
“We, the stakeholders of PDP South-East geo-political zone, have examined all the people vying for the national chairmanship position of our party, PDP.
“We wish to commend, highly, all the aspirants especially on how they have conducted themselves during their campaigns fully aware that this is an internal party affair.
“We are very conscious of the personality of who becomes the national chairman of our great party for the next four years.
“Based on the fore going, we have unanimously in our today’s stakeholders’ meeting, decided that we will back an aspirant that has character and content.
“In this circumstance, and without prejudice to the right of other aspirants to this national chairmanship position, credible and transparent election, we have decided to back and vote for Prince Uche Secondus,’’ he said.
He said the caucus was solidly behind Secondus for the position of national chairman of the party.
Umahi added that the stakeholders also endorsed some other candidates in the positions zoned to the South-East.
The candidates, he said were: Col. Austin Akobundu (rtd), Udeh Okoye and Alphonsus Gerard for the positions of National Organising Secretary, National Youth Leader and Deputy Financial Secretary.