Posted by By JACOB EDI, Abuja on
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Tuesday apologized to journalists over attacks on them last week by the party's National Chairman, Ahmadu Ali.
…Warns govs over LG funds
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Tuesday apologized to journalists over attacks on them last week by the party's National Chairman, Ahmadu Ali.
The party's National Publicity Secretary, John Odey, who apologized on behalf of Ali promised that such incidents will not occur again.
Ali had last week poured venoms on journalists for reporting his criticisms of some of the reform policies of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He pushed his anger further by ordering his security aides to walk out some journalists, who were in his office to cover an events.
The party's decision to apologize on behalf of Ali is coming even as it fixed December 8 for its national convention and also directed that local council polls in all PDP controlled states must hold on or before December 31.
The party also said it will sanction any of its governors, who diverts or interferes with local government's statutory funds.
National Chairman, Colonel Amadu Ali (retd) has described as tragic, local government administration in the last eight years.
'The tragedy of the last eight years where local governments never impacted on the lives of the people can no longer be tolerated," Ali stated in his welcome address to the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting that held yesterday in Abuja.
'I repeat, there will be no hiding place for those, who divert or misapply local government funds," Ali warned.
He continued: 'As we prepare for the local government elections, let me make it clear that the PDP has resolved to ensure that henceforth local governments will be made to function in the interest of the people."
While insisting the party's victory at the last April elections confirms it superiority, Ali said the party cannot disappoint its members by not preparing well for the forth-coming local council polls adding that it will fight for every available seat in the local council elections.
Briefing newsmen at the end of the NEC meeting, National Secretary of the party and minister designate, Ojo Maduekwe explained that NEC's decision on the conduct of the local council polls will be subject to the provisions of the electoral laws in those states.
By the timetable approved by NEC for the conduct of the 2007 special congresses and convention, ward congresses will hold on the 5th of November while local government congresses will hold on the 10th of November and state congresses have been slated for the 17th of November.
Zonal congresses and the national convention will take place on the 24th of November while the national convention will be held on the 8th of December.
National publicity secretary, John Odey explained that the decision to hold the national convention in December was 'for us to follow the due process. He said the party will come up with the zoning formula of all positions in the party hierarchy before the national convention.
The Alex Ekwueme led national reconciliation committee will be inaugurated on Monday by President Umaru Yar'Adua at the PDP headquarters.
Members of his committee include Olabode George, Adamu Ciroma, Shuaibu Oyedokun, Fidelis Tapgun, Amb. Aminu Wali, Bello Mohammed, Ime Udom and Abubakar Magaji.