Politics
National Confab: Falana, Agbakoba Protest Committees Composition
The Civil Society
Organisations (CSOs) delegates at National Conference including former President of the West African Bar Association, Mr Femi Falana and former President of Nigeria Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba protested the composition of the 20 standing committees, saying that they did not reflect the wishes of delegates.
The group, in a protest letter to the conference secretariat, said the leadership composed the committees “arbitrarily and in total disregard to the choice and preferences of most delegates”.
The letter signed by the 24 CSOs delegates, said they were drafted into committees where they did not have expertise and consequently, would not be relevant.
“Before the composition of the committees, the leadership circulated papers wherein delegates were asked to indicate in order of preference, the committees they wished to serve in.
“We believe that if the committees of first, second and third choices are not available, the honourable thing to do is to inform delegates and give the option of choosing a fresh committee.
“We note that majority of CSOs delegates did not get placed in any of their preferred committees.
“We feel this is deliberate and an attempt to exclude CSOs from contributing across the board to the important issues to be discussed in the various committees.
“We argue that the leadership erred by not getting back to the delegates in relation to their preferred committees’ choices before placing and lumping them into committees they had not indicated interest,’’ the CSOs said.
They, therefore, demanded that the list be completely reviewed in line with the national outlook of the conference.
They also called on the leadership to henceforth conduct the activities of the conference “in an open, transparent, fair and equitable manner.
“We wish to place on record that this conference is a National Conference of the Nigerian people from all walks of life.
“It is neither a conference of ethnic nationalities nor a conference of regions or states. Furthermore, we totally reject the list of committees’ leaders that have been released.
“We find it very disturbing and unacceptable that CSOs are not represented at all on the committees’ leadership.
“This is so even on the committee on Labour and Civil Society, Social Sector or Environment where CSOs competence is not in doubt.
“Furthermore, we find it equally untenable that CSOs are not represented on the committees on political parties and electoral process; politics and forms of government; national security; devolution of powers, among others.”
According to them, members of CSOs have requisite competence and years of experience on the aforementioned committees and their thematic areas, and indicated interests in serving on them.
He predicted that before the next election cycle, Abia’s political landscape would witness broken alliances, surprising mergers, and new contenders emerging from within established networks.
Prophet Arogun concluded with a broader appeal to Nigeria’s political leaders, emphasizing the need for justice, peace, and integrity in public governance.
“Nigeria is the assignment. Only righteousness will stabilize this nation. Only fairness will preserve the mandate. Let those who have ears hear”, he said softly.
Senator Makarfi’s resignation comes on the heels of the national convention that saw the emergence of the new Chairman of PDP, Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
In his letter of resignation, which was addressed to the PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Monday evening, the former governor said, “Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees may recall that about two months ago I had resigned as Secretary of the Board and posted same on the Board’s WhatsApp platform.
“Mr Chairman, you may also recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a Chairman.”
He added that the principal reason he initially tendered his resignation then “and now, was and is still my belief that the National Chairman of the Party and Secretary of the Board of Trustees should not come from the same geopolitical zone.
“Now that a chairman has emerged from the North West, where I come from, it’s necessary to give him full space to do the needful. Accordingly, I hereby formally resign as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from today, November 17th, 2025.”
While commending the BoT Chairman for his support during his tenure as Secretary of the Board, he stressed, “I truly appreciate the very respectful relationship between us during my period as Secretary,” adding that, “I also appreciate all Board members for their support and the good relationship that prevailed during my period as Secretary.”
Meanwhile, Dr Turaki on Monday pledged to ensure that power returns to the Nigerian people, urging the judiciary to uphold the tenets of democracy.
Dr Turaki, while giving his acceptance speech after the swearing-in of new officers at the end of the Elective Convention of the PDP in Ibadan, assured that there will be “no more impunity, no more suppression of the will of Nigerians”.
The chairman appealed to the judiciary to uphold the principles of stare decision, abiding by the decisions of the Supreme Court, and not to “willingly or unwillingly put yourselves in a situation where, rightly or wrongly, it may be assumed, correctly or incorrectly, that you are part and parcel of the process to truncate Nigerian democracy.”
According to him, the new leadership of the party would be open to listening to the yearnings of members, with a view to aligning with their will, declaring that “No more monkey dey work, baboon dey chop,” adding that “if baboon wants to chop, baboon must be seated to work.”
He noted that the PDP has maintained its original name, motto and logo, unlike the other parties that started with it, making it a recognised brand anywhere in Nigeria.
