Convention: Ayu, Anyanwu’s presence at our meeting not endorsement – PDP govs

• Party generates N63m from aspirants

The Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, has said the presence of Dr Iyorcha Ayu and Senator Samuel Anyanwu is not a tacit endorsement of their ambition to become National Chairman and National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) respectively.

The governor said this Wednesday while reacting to a question after the meeting of the PDP governors at Akwa Ibom State Governors’ Lodge, Asokoro District, Abuja, on the forthcoming national convention of the leading opposition party scheduled for October 30 and 31, 2021.

Daily Trust learnt that the two aspirants might have been endorsed by the party’s governors.

However, when asked whether the presence of Ayu and Anyanwu was an indication of a tacit endorsement by the governors, Tambuwal said: “No, no, no. They came for a private discussion with one or two governors. They had their private discussions and left. Thank you.”

He expressed optimism that the PDP would become stronger and more united after the convention to provide the desired platform for Nigerians to realize their aspirations.

The meeting was attended by governors Tambuwal (Sokoto), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Fintiri (Adamawa) Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi). 

The governors of Taraba, Darius Ishaku and Benue, Samuel Ortom, were represented by their deputies.

Meanwhile, the party has realised the sum of N63 million from 33 aspirants vying for National Working Committee (NWC) offices of the party.

The PDP has put the nomination forms for national chairman and national secretary at N5m; deputy national chairman N3m, other substantive offices N2m, and deputy offices N750,000. 

The 33 aspirants are being screened by the screening sub-committee led by a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke Bello, SAN.

In his remarks before the screening, Adoke said the committee would justify the confidence reposed in it and deliver on its mandate in the best interest of the country. 

“We are conscious of the expectation of members of our party especially the aspirants to the various elective positions for a free, fair credible and transparent process. 

“We, therefore, assure you that we shall not only be guided by these ideals in the discharge of our duty but also, be meticulous in the observance of our party guidelines, the constitution of our great party and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

Asked if the committee would screen the aspirants that went against micronizing and consensus, Adoke said: “Well, our work is to screen anybody appearing before us so long as the person has obtained the form and it has been accepted. The person will be screened in accordance with our guidelines.”