PDP extends Makarfi’s tenure by four months

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Former President Goodluck Jonathan, addressing party members at yesterday’s non-elective national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja PHOTO PHILIP OJISUA

• Party Back To Claim Its Rightful Place, Says Jonathan
• Sacks Executive Committees In Lagos, Anambra, Six Other States
• We Will Unseat APC With A Fit Buhari, Says Makarfi
• Challenges Ruling Party To Hold NEC Meetings, Convention

The Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP), yesterday, at its non-elective convention held in Abuja, extended the tenure of its National Caretaker Committee by four months. The tenure of the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee would now end on December 12, 2017.

At the same event, the party came down hard on some state executive committees, dissolving the ones in Anambra, Adamawa, Borno, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos, Ogun and Osun states.

Their dissolution, according to the party is informed by the failure of the different warring camps to agree to have one executive. The national caretaker committee was, therefore empowered by the convention to set up caretaker committees in those states until proper congresses are conducted.

The motion was sponsored by governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, and seconded by Governor Victor Ikpeazu, of Abia State. A separate motion for the sack of Anambra parallel executive committee was sponsored by the Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, and seconded by former Women Affairs Minister, Mariam Inna Ciroma.

In approving the motion sponsored by Senator Godswill Akpabio, and seconded by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, for the extension of the tenure of the national caretaker committee, the convention ruled that the extension took effect from yesterday.

The extension was to allow the caretaker committee enough time to organise an elective convention, where national officers of the party would be elected.

Immediate past president, Goodluck Jonathan, in his address at the convention said: “Let it be known that our party has been born anew, committed to the best ideals of democracy. Let it be known, in all nooks and crannies of our country, that the PDP is back to claim its rightful place in the affairs of the nation. As we have always done, we are ready to return Nigeria to the path of unity, peace and prosperity.” 

“Let us all ensure that the PDP is renewed in vigour to deliver on its divine responsibility to Nigerians. Let us forget the grievances of the past, and look to the future with confidence and optimism. While I congratulate all delegates to this convention, I urge you to go back to your respective constituencies to promote the ideals of our great party.”

Makarfi, buoyed up the party members further when he claimed that President Muhammadu Buhari would be well, fit and on seat when the PDP would unseat the APC-government.

After leading party faithful to offer prayers for Buhari, Makarfi said: “We mean well for Buhari. We want him to be fit and on seat when we will unseat him and the APC government in 2019.”

The former Kaduna State governor, who deplored hunger and insecurity in the land said, “Kidnapping is part of insecurity and it has spread across the length and breadth of this country and it is because of joblessness.”

Makarfi, who frowned at tuition hike in government institutions even in the midst of scarce resources, promised that when the PDP returns to power, it would consider a students loan scheme to alleviate their sufferings. 

The party’s Board of Trustees also, yesterday, challenged the APC to appoint its own Board of Trustees, hold NEC meetings and conduct national conventions.

Chairman of the board, Senator Walid Jubril, who spoke through a member of the board, Chief  Tom Ikimi, noted that the PDP has fully survived its challenges and has all its organs in place.

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, who spoke on behalf of PDP governors, congratulated the Makarfi committee for saving Nigerians from those he called Boko Haramites and hijackers.

According to him, Nigerian were misled to vote the APC government into power. Fayose said, who said the APC government does not what to do about governance, urge PDP to rise to the challenge of taking over in 2019.