‘PDP Ready For 2019 Polls’

Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Adams Dabotorudima (left), congratulating Hon Samuel Ogeh after his wearing-in as a member of 8th Assembly last Thursday, following his victory at the 19th March rerun election in Rivers State. Photo: Chris Monyanaga

The out-going Chairman of
Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Capt. Tunji Shelle (rtd) has said that the party has started preparations for the 2019 polls.
He said the future of the party is bright, urging members not to despair over its defeat in last year’s elections.
Shelle, whose tenure expires next month, exuded confidence about the PDP’s prospects, saying that the foundation for a virile future has been laid.
He spoke at the stakeholders’ meeting of the party held at its secretariat, GRA, Ikeja. The meeting was attended by the party leader, Chief Bode George, former Works Minister Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, chairmanship aspirants; Hon. Goke Savaldor and Adegbola Dominic; Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Muiz Dosunmu, Uthman Shodipe, Ola Apena and Gani Taofeek. However, members of the Obanikoro group shunned the meeting, underscoring the lack of reconciliation between the two camps in the chapter.
Noting that the PDP has started preparations for 2019, Shelle said the congresses and the national convention will lay the foundation for a prosperous future. He said: “The congresses will be free, fair and transparent and all stakeholders will be carried along.”
The deputy chairman, Apena, who unfolded the guidelines for the congress, said although zoning is critical to the convention, it has not been resolved by the PDP national leadership.
He said contestants for the various party offices will have to support their intention with the payment of nomination fees.
Apena stressed: “The party has prescribed N1,800 for aspirants at the ward, local government and state levels. Ward chairmanship aspirants will pay N1,000; deputy chairman N500, Secretary N500 and other offices N200. For local government chairmanship, aspirants will pay N5,000; secretary N3,000 and other N2,000. State chairmanship aspirants will pay M50,000, deputy chairman M20,000 and secretary N30,000. National Vice Chairman N1,000, members of the zonal executive N3,000, others N15,000. Aspirants for the national chairman N1m and secretary N500,000.”
The secretary said the party will adopt the consensus formula for picking the officers, if the wards and local governments are in agreement.
Urging party faithful to gird their loins, Apena added: “One national delegate each will be elected at the local government level. There will be twenty national delegates, in addition to the statutory delegates. I urge you to shun violence during the congress. Don’t allow anybody to intimidate you.”