National Convention: ‘Unity List’ Threatening To Tear PDP Apart Again

BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – There are strong indications that the forthcoming National convention of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), may further factionalised the party, except the emergence of a so called ‘unity list’ of candidates is summarily discarded.

Already, there is a ground swell of opinion that the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee must encourage and conduct a free and fair convention as against foisting an unpopular leadership on the party as being speculated.

The PDP became factionalised after it lost the 2015 presidential election, but managed to pull through the storm after the Supreme Court ruled in favour of the Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee.

As a way forward, the Caretaker Committee has scheduled the opposition Party’s elective National Convention for December 9, 2017 in Abuja. However, ahead of the convention, some candidates are kicking against the emergence of what insiders called “Unity list” of endorsed candidates for the party.

One of the candidates eyeing a top seat at the Convention told Forefront on condition of anonymity that many members of the party are uncomfortable with the offensive so-called ‘unity list’, warning that concerned candidates and other members may resolve to leave the party if the planned imposition of candidates is allowed to take place.

He said; “The idea of having a unity list is an indication that the PDP is still promoting impunity, lack of internal democracy and has not learnt from its past mistakes.

“We expect that the convention will be keenly contested and its outcome not pre-determined. It is better for all the contestants to face the delegates and let the delegates choose their leaders in a free, fair and transparent convention.

“We should allow the contestants to be elected on their individual merit, rather than being handpicked by some godfathers. All the contestants bought forms and indicated their interests to vie for the different offices. They should be allowed to contest the election in a free, fair and transparent manner to avoid any crisis.

“I appeal to the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, who once apologised to members of the party for the impunity that once reigned in the party and pledged that such things as imposition of candidates at conventions and congresses would no longer be allowed in the party, to keep to his promise.”

“We are making a passionate appeal to all the organs of the party namely the Board of Trustees (BOT), National Executive Committee (NEC), National Working Committee (NWC) and the PDP Governors Forum to critically look at the unity list because of its potential to destroy our party. The onus is on the party to do the right thing by allowing a level playing field during the convention,” he said.

The candidate applauded the various party leaders who spoke against an earlier plot to micro-zone positions and appealed to them to take the same steps against the so-called ‘unity list’ in order to save the party from another round of internal crisis and possible collapse.