The secretary of the 2018 National Convention committee, Senator Victor Ndoma Egba, has said that about 6800 delegates are expected to participate in the forthcoming Elective convention by June 23rd.
Addressing newsmen Thursday at the Convention secretariat, Senator Egba also dismissed media reports that the convention may be shifted by one week as a result of paucity of funds, saying that the convention will go ahead as planned.
The former Senate leader said efforts were being made to resolve all pending issues from the states where there are issues especially those with court cases, adding that in one way or the other, the issues will be resolved and assured of a hitch free convention.
While dismissing reports of the likely postponement of the convention, he said “It is not correct. The convention is going on on the 23rd of June as planned. Nothing has happened to suggest the contrary. So, I can say categorically that convention is going ahead.
“We are expecting about 6800 plus delegates. Of course you know that we will have observers, vendors, the media, entertainers. In all you should expect about 8000 people.”
On disputes from the states as a result of ward, local and state congresses, he said “We are hoping to resolve those issues before the convention, especially in states where we have court processes. We are working to resolve them in one way or the other. This is politics and at the end of the day, you must leave a window open for harmonization and reconciliation.”
On the outcome of the screening of the 179 aspirants for the various offices, he said “the screening committee finished its assignment yesterday. As we speak, the screening appeals committee is sitting. After the screening, there is an appeals panel to review the cases of those who feel aggrieved with the outcome of the screening committee assignment.
“You cannot know the outcome until the appeals committee finished its work. The screening appeals is sitting and until that committee finished its work, I cannot give you a number of those screened out or screened in. There is still a process going on.”
On funding of the convention and activities of the committee, he said “so far, we do not have so much of a challenge. But we are still expecting contributions from stakeholders.
“If there is any complain of lack of money, I think the first point of call is the secretariat and I am not aware of any committee that has come here to say we are not been funded.”
He also dismissed alleged pressure on the committee from the presidency, saying “I am not aware of any pressure from the villa. I have never received any call or invitation from the villa. I have been allowed to do my work as best as I can. So, I am not aware of any pressure.”
