PDP CONVENTION – Eight out of the nine screened and cleared national chairmanship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party are today competing to get the support of the 2,233 delegates who are voting at the party’s national convention, which holds on Saturday (today).
The list of the delegates was exclusively obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on Friday.
The aspirants are Prince Uche Secondus, Chief Gbenga Daniel, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, Mr. Aderemi Olusegun and Chief Olabode George, who later withdrew from the race on Friday evening.
The list shows that Abia has 90 delegates, Adamawa, 56; Akwa Ibom, 140; Anambra, 20; Bauchi, 53; Benue, 69; Borno, 63; Cross River, 86; Delta, 105 and Ebonyi, 80.
Others are Edo, 61; Ekiti, 92; Enugu, 101; Gombe, 64; Imo, 79; Jigawa, 65; Kaduna, 70; Kano, 100; Katsina, 76; Kebbi, 48; Kogi, 63; Kwara, 22; Lagos, 55; Nasarawa, 42; Niger, 63; Ogun, 61; and Ondo, 56.
The rest are Osun, 11; Oyo, 71; Plateau, 56; Rivers, 93; Sokoto, 51; Taraba, 77; Yobe, 44; Zamfara, 34; and the Federal Capital Territory, 24.
It was gathered that the number of delegates from Osun State was small because of the inconclusiveness of the congresses in the state.
Majority of the aspirants had lobbied the delegates ahead of the convention. It was gathered that some were induced with cash while other delegates were promised some other benefits by the candidates.
Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, who is also the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, however, warned the aspirants to go by the rulebook.
It was gathered that all the aspirants were given forms to fill, with the promise that they would accept the result of the convention.
Okowa promised that his committee would conduct a credible and transparent convention, noting that adequate steps had been taken to secure the Eagle Square, venue of the convention.
He said, “We are very much aware of the security alert about Abuja. The security sub-committee is working very closely with the security agencies to ensure a smooth convention.
On his part, the Chairman, Post-Convention Planning Committee, who is also the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, tasked all the aspirants to demonstrate sportsmanship before, during and after the contest, adding that only one of them would win the election.
He thanked Okowa for his efforts, describing him and the convention planning committee as “People we have confidence in.” {Punch}
