PDP Defies Police, Holds Convention · Makarfi, others get 12 months tenure extension

PDP Defies Police, Holds Convention

·        Makarfi, others get 12 months tenure extension

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today defied attempts by the police and the Department of State Security (DSS) to scuttle its national convention as delegates relocated to the state secretariat of the party to hold the convention.

 

The police had sealed off the Sharks Stadium venue of the convention and barred delegates from having access to the venue.

 

At the state secretariat of the party at Aba Road, the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the Party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, declared the convention open.

 

The convention approved the extension of the tenure of the national caretaker committee led by Makarfi by 12 months and also increased its membership from seven to 13 through a motion moved by Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and seconded by the Former Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina.

 

The Chairman of the National Convention Planning Committee, Nyesom Wike, put the question for the extension of the lifespan of the committee, which was unanimously approved.

 

The convention had earlier adopted a motion moved by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Leo Ogor, and seconded by Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory of PDP, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, to amend the agenda of the convention and step down the issue of election.

 

Markarfi, addressing the convention after the extension of tenure, assured the delegates that his committee would effectively position the party for 2019 and would organise another convention within the period.