The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has assured governorship aspirants in Bayelsa and Kogi states respectively of level playing field in the conduct of its primaries for the election of the party’s candidates for the November 16 governorship election.
The PDP national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus gave the assurance while receiving report from a three-man ad hoc committee set up by the National Working Committee (NWC) on the resolution of the crisis in the Lagos state chapter, led by Sen. Ben Obi.
Secondus, who said the party has brighter chances of winning both elections, assured the aspirants of the resolve of the party to follow its guidelines and constitution in the conduct of the states’ primaries.
Accordingly, he warned aspirants against blackmailing and false allegations against party leaders and members of the NWC, instead advised them to campaign for support from delegates and shun violence.
Speaking on the crisis in Lagos, he called on members of the party to bury their differences for peace to reign and forge a united front to confront the All progressives Congress (APC).
He said the Lagos was “winnable” for PDP but regretted that PDP was its greatest enemy in Lagos. According to him, the trend could be reversed if members of the party allow peace to reign.
“All we want is peace, all we want is to win Lagos. “And for our members in Lagos, the bible says there is time for everything. We have had enough crisis, the time has come for peace. We need everybody to make the difference,” he said.
Secondus assured the members that PDP leadership would look into the complaints of lopsidedness in the membership of the Board of Trustees from Lagos.
He also assured them that the NWC would not interfere in the running of the state chapter. “Lagos will govern and administer themselves for us to win Lagos. There will be no interference,” he said.
Secondus commended the committee for its recommendations and for setting the stage for final peace and reconciliation in Lagos and promised that the NWC would look into the recommendations with a view to implementing them for the good of the party.
Earlier, the ad hoc committee chairman, Senator Ben Obi, saidlack of unity brought about by the unilateral dismissal of elected local government chairmen by the acting Lagos state chairman, Dr Adegbola Dominic, was the major reason the party in Lagos lost in the last general elections.
“They complained of the actions of the acting state chairman, who without due process, dissolved newly elected local government chairmen.
“They demand non-interference by NWC and that the suspension and removal of the local government chairmen by the acting chairman should be lifted.
“Just like in every state, they complained of lack of funds and that three Board of Trustees members (from the state) came from one zone, and in some cases, all appointments,” Obi said stressing that Lagos PDP members were “thirsty for peace.
“They wanted the vacant positions in the state executive committee to be filled in line with the party’s constitution. He said that party members demanded that there should be no imposition of any kind,” he said.
Obi said. Other members of the committee include the national vice chairman, South-west, Chief Eddy Olafeso and Senator Biodun Olujimi.
