ASABA—The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has declared that none of its established organs is permitted to align with any particular presidential aspirant ahead of the 2019 general elections, saying its platform is open to all Nigerians to aspire to various elective offices in the land.
This is part of the major decisions contained in a communiqué issued, yesterday, at the end of a crucial meeting between PDP National Working Committee and state governors elected on the platform of the party, in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
The party leaders, however, condemned in strong terms the mindless killings across the country, the lingering fuel crisis, and the ploy by the Federal Government to ‘illegally’ withdraw from the Excess Crude Account, while also chiding the ruling party for suddenly embracing restructuring in the wake of the 2019 polls.
“We want to assure that no established organ of the party is allowed to align with any presidential aspirant. We thank the people and government of Delta State for playing host to this all-important meeting,” a part of the communiqué read.
The communiqué, which was jointly signed by National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, and Ekiti State governor and chairman of PDP Governors Forum, Ayodele Fayose, also read: “We strongly condemn the unabated killings across the country. We call on Mr. President to come out clean on the herdsmen killings and address the nation on how to end the carnage.
“The President must take responsibility on the protection of lives and property of Nigerians, which is the most important of his responsibilities.
“We believe that the Federal Government’s decision to set up a committee to address the issues of herdsmen killings is a pretentious approach to a matter that requires firm action and leadership by the President in line with his oath of office to protect all Nigerians irrespective of creed, tribe and political affiliation.
“The PDP has been the author of restructuring and this was further expressed in the report of the 2014 National Conference. The All Progressive Congress (APC) as a later day convert of restructuring is merely paying lip service to a matter of national importance.
“However, we have mandated our members in the National Assembly to immediately commence the process of initiating a bill to address issues bothering on restructuring.
“We urge Mr. President to henceforth direct the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to adhere to the rule of law by obeying court judgments and orders such as the one involving the Ekiti State government against EFCC and restrain itself from further political intimidation and harassment of known or perceived political opponents. We commend the judiciary for their commitment to the enthronement of constitutional democracy in the face of intimidation and harassment.
