National Convention: PDP Ready To Screen Aspirants

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has concluded arrangements to screen aspirants for elections into the various party offices ahead of the forth-coming National Convention slated for March 24.

A statement issued Tuesday by the PDP in Abuja said that the screening was in line with the principle of due process laid down by the party’s constitution.

The statement signed by the Acting National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje said already, a screening committee had been constituted, adding that the list of the screened aspirants would be released three days to the national convention.

“The screening will take place about a week to the national convention,” he affirmed.

According to the national chairman, the party would adhere strictly to due process before and during the national convention, adding that it is in the best interest of the respective aspirants to familiarise themselves with the rules governing the conduct of the exercise.

“This is a due-process National Working Committee headed by my humble self. By now, our Party members know who I am as far as complying with rules and regulations is concerned. They also know that this NWC will not accept anything less than the rules and regulations guiding the conduct of our elections into party offices. We have been displaying the rules at the venues of the various congresses conducted so far across the nation. This is why we have had very little complaints perhaps the first time in the history of the Party,” he said.

Besides, aspirant must be card-carrying members as well as financial members, must have proven integrity and must have reasonable and proven experience, he said.

Those presently holding any position within or outside the Party must follow the necessary procedures to allow them vie for party offices at the national convention, the statement also said adding that strict emphasis will be placed on the position of the party guiding the acceptable behaviour of aspirants of candidates for elective position.

In addition the state of indicated that the true identities of the aspirants will be ascertained by the screening committee including their antecedents.

The National Chairman also spoke on petitions emanating from aggrieved persons over the just concluded Ward and Local Government Congresses.

He advised them to forward their complaints to Appeal Committees set up for that purpose, noting that the Party will not entertain petitions that are not routed through the established channel of communication.