National Confab: Elechi Not Speaking For PDP - Metuh

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, December 30, (THEWILL) - The leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday dissociated itself from the statement credited to the Ebonyi State governor, Chief Martins Elechi, on the proposed National Conference, saying the governor was speaking for himself and not for the party A statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisa Metuh , said though it has full respect for the  governor, he has no mandate to speak on behalf of the party on such issues It also warned aides of state governors to desist from making statements on behalf of their principals without  getting authorisation to do so "The attention of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to reports in the media wherein  the PDP was mentioned to have commented on an earlier report credited to Governor Martins Elechi of Ebonyi State on the proposed National Conference " "We wish to clarify unequivocally that the National Working Committee of the PDP never in any manner whatsoever made or authorised any comment on the said report The PDP as a well organised democratic institution has duly established channel of external communication which is carried out with the utmost sense of responsibility after due clarifications on issues," the statement said It added that  "It is therefore wrong and completely unacceptable for anybody to present statements made by individuals who are not members of the National Working Committee of the PDP on the said report as the  official position of the party; moreso when such statements were made without due clarifications from the governor " The statement said further: "For the avoidance of doubt, the entire National Working Committee restates total commitment and respect to all our elected officials, especially PDP governors who remain strong pillars of the party " "We restate our respect for Governor Elechi who is one of the best governors in the country and one of the leading lights behind the stability and growth of not only the PDP as a party but the institution of democracy in Nigeria generally " "Governor Elechi as a seasoned democrat and statesman played key roles in the creation of Ebonyi state and displayed famed political sagacity and grass root appeal as the PDP South East Coordinator in the 2011 general elections " "It is therefore unacceptable to the National Working Committee for any person under any guise whatsoever to make comments that in any way ridicule or seek to ridicule his image and portray him in bad light " "With the clarifications made by Governor Elechi on his remarks on the National Conference, it is clear to all that the comments on the statement earlier credited to the governor were uncalled for as he and the National Working Committee are indeed on the same page in supporting the proposed National Conference " "The National Working Committee therefore cautions all aides of elected officers at all levels to desist from rushing to make unnecessary and unprovoked statements that tend to cast aspersions on our elected officials, especially State Governors who hold the sacred mandate of the people, particularly when there can be clarifications through direct contact with their principals " "All such aides must henceforth guard their actions and utterances and ensure that they do not in anyway undermine the unity and stability of the party " "In the same vein, all unauthorised persons must also desist from making statements in manners that suggest such to be the official position of the National Working Committee on party issues "