PDP SETS DATE FOR CONGRESSES IN ADAMAWA

The Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa has announced dates for wards, local governments and state congresses to elect new executives for the party.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party in Abuja had dissolved the Adamawa executive of the party, under the Chairmanship of Alhaji Umaru Kugama.

The NWC then appointed a caretaker committee chaired by Ambassador Umar Damagum, to run the party in the state.

Consequently, the development caused a rift in the state PDP as the Kugama executive headed for court to challenge the NWC's decision while it continued to operate from a parallel secretariat.

Briefing newsmen on its plan for the congresses in Yola yesterday, the Caretaker Committee Chairman, Alhaji Umar Damagum, said that the NWC of the party had approved Dec. 27 to Jan. 10, 2013 for the conduct of the congresses.

Damagum said the party had communicated the development to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The committee chairman, who displayed nomination forms for the congresses, also announced that membership cards were also available for those wishing to join the party as well as those who left the party and wish to return.

He urged stakeholders in the state to join hands with the committee in what he described as “a crusade to save the party in the state.''

He condemned the action of some youths who set bonfire in front of the party secretariat on Saturday and said they were sponsored to frustrate the committee.

“We are here to work and no amount of intimidation will deter us from executing our mandate'', he added.