PDP NEC Meeting Ends As Party Maintains Silence On Sylva
… Party Says State Chapters Will Not Be dissolved Until Congresses Are Held
SAN FRANCISCO, December 22, (THEWILL) – The 57th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has ended in Abuja without comments on the litigation filed by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, challenging his disqualification from contesting in the party’s Bayelsa primary.
A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Professor Rufus Alkali reads:
Gentlemen of the Press,
The 57th meeting of the National Executive Committee of our great Party, the PDP just ended here at the National Secretariat. The well attended meeting had the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the Vice President, Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo, the Senate President, Senator David Mark, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former National Chairmen, members of the Board of Trustees and several other members of NEC in attendance.
The meeting reviewed the state of the Party since the last meeting held on the 28th of July 2011, especially preparations for primaries in the five States ordered by various tribunals. The States are: - Kogi, Adamawa, Bayelsa, Sokoto and Cross River States. So far, the Party has successfully held primaries in Kogi, Bayelsa, Adamawa and Sokoto States.
Indeed, the gubernatorial elections have been held in Kogi States with the PDP emerging victorious. Preparations are in top gear for the gubernatorial primaries in Cross River State with the sale of forms commencing on the 2nd of January 2012.
NEC commended the National Working Committee for a thorough handling of the primaries in the affected states and urged all Party members to accept the outcome of the exercise in the spirit of Party loyalty, unity and cohesion.
NEC also received a report on progress of work at the new National Secretariat and noted with satisfaction that work is going on according to schedule with the building now on the 10th floor out of the targetted 12 floors.
On the forthcoming Congresses to elect Party officials at all levels, NEC commended the enthusiasm shown by Party members nationwide especially the smooth conclusion of the update of ward registers. NEC expressed its determination to see to the successful conclusion of the transition exercise. NEC also agreed on proposals for consultations on zoning of Party offices in order to consolidate our broadbased
national support and carry each constituent part of the nation along. A decision on what office goes to what zone shall be commencated to members in due course.
NEC also dismissed speculations in some circles that plans are underway to dissolve some State Executive Committees before the expiration of their tenures. NEC affirms its commitment to provision
of the Party constitution on tenure of officials and urged officials concerned to disregard such rumours.
NEC was briefed on progress of the PDP Constitution review Committee lead by the National Legal Adviser. The committee is still working but has made substantial progress in fashioning a new
constitution which shall be in tune with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act. The review Committee shall present a comprehensive report in due course.
NEC received a comprehensive report on the planned removal of fuel subsidy from the Vice President, Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo. NEC endorsed the plans and urged all Nigerians to embrace the project as a sure way to avoid the collapse of some economies in Europe. NEC urged Party members to educate fellow citizens nationwide on the benefits of the removal and called for vigilance against those who wish to sabotage the programme.
Some of the highlights of the proposal is that the proceeds of the fuel subsidy removal shall be channeled to various critical sectors of the economy such as Education, Health Care, Road and Rail infrastructure, Hydro Electric Power and Industrial Development.