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Less than 48 hours to the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Chairman of the organizing committee for the event, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has said everything has been put in place to ensure a successful outing.
Speaking to cross section of Journalists at the Wadata Plaza, National Secretariat of the PDP in Abuja yesterday (07/12/17), Senator Okowa who is also, the Governor of Delta State after committee meetings that lasted more than 4 hours, disclosed that the committees for the events have submitted their reports, assuring that all was set for the convention.
According to the Governor, “we are not having challenges as it concerns the convention, we are working to ensure that everything is set, today, we took committee reports and I can tell you that everything is going on smoothly.”
Asked specifically if paucity of funds will not affect the convention, the Governor said, “we don’t have too much fund, we don’t need too much fund but, we have enough to take care of the convention.”
“Everything is set for us to have a successful convention on Saturday,” the Governor emphasized.
At the PDP secretariat yesterday, many PDP chieftains were seen going in and out of the secretariat with business picking up in the area.
Some hawkers of different wares expressed gratitude to God that activities have picked up at the Wadata Plaza, disclosing that they were witnessing a boom in their businesses as it were before the 2015 general elections.
Meanwhile, former Nigeria’s Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida has expressed confidence that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led convention organising committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will conduct a rancour free, acceptable convention.
General Babangida spoke on (06/12/17) when Governor Okowa, accompanied by the Chairman of the caretaker committee of the PDP,Senator Ahmed Makarfi and top officials of the party met him at his (IBB’s) country home at Minna, Niger State.
“I have here, the chairman of the caretaker committee, former chairman of Kaduna State, the Chairman of convention planning committee, the Governor of Delta State with the officials for the convention, I am glad they are working hard and I have seen that they want to make sure that the convention of the PDP is rancour free, transparent and everybody will be given a level playing ground,” he said.
The former Head of State who was in his elements, throwing banters with the PDP leaders and journalists who witnessed the event, emphatically said, “PDP will see one of the best convention like never before.”
He also talked about the return of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar return to the PDP, saying. “he is a Nigerian, he is allowed to go to any party and our constitution allows it, so, it is not new and there is nothing wrong for politician to move from one party to another.”
Alhaji Makarfi disclosed that the visit was in line with the tradition of the PDP where elders and leaders of the party are consulted for the right decisions to be taken.
“In the PDP, we respect leaders, General Babangida has always been with us and it is the tradition of the party to be consulting with our leaders that is why we are here today to brief him (IBB) on the arrangement we have made and take whatever advice he gives for conducting a credible and transparent convention. The success story so far is a confirmation of series of interaction with leaders and founding members of the party,” Markarfi said.
Governor Okowa assured the convention will be successful stating, “a lot has been put on ground for a successful Convention to be held we thank the Caretaker Committee of our party because they have done a lot ahead of the inauguration on Monday and since then, we have held several meetings.”
“As at today, we are confident that we are on course; in terms of trying to provide all that has to be done on Saturday, we are going to have exciting convention, there is no doubt about that, everything concerning the electoral process have been put in place, the accreditation team by today (yesterday, 06/12/17) will get the last list of the statutory delegates from Osun and Anambra States,” he said.
The Governor continued, “we obviously will not allow everybody to come into the venue, it is going to be restrictive convention because, it is an elective convention and I think our party will accept that, it is in the interest of the party and in terms of fairness, we are right on course.”