PDP convention: Group warns against imposition of candidates

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

A group under the auspice of Peoples Democratic Advocate (PDA) in Kaduna state, has called on the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ahmed Makarfi and other leaders of the party to ensure that all positions are contested for by qualified party members, warning there should not be imposition.
The group also aligned itself with the Enugu Declaration whereby the eminent party stakeholders unanimously agreed that all political party positions must be contested for at the forthcoming National Convention of the party, especially where there is more than one aspirant to that office.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Chairman of the group, Hon. Adamu Ahmed Dattijo.
The statement expressed dismay that the PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman is trying to deny Abubakar Mustapha the opportunity to vie for a higher position as equity and justice demands.
“Because of the attempt manipulation of the Makarfi led Caretaker Committee to deny Alh Abubakar Mustapha the opportunity to vie for a higher position as equity and justice demands, we are in total support of the Enugu Declaration because it tallies with the universally acceptable standard definition of equity, fairness and justice.
“We are amazed with the misinformation making the rounds that the position of the National Secretary which was never micro zoned has been micro- zoned and even micro-named to Katsina state on the false assertion that both Kaduna and Katsina states were under a rotational arrangement which confers on each State the right to produce a candidate over the other alternately,” he group complained.
The group stated that it defies any logic and common sense to consider the same scenario with different panacea. What operates in the caliphate states of Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto is an attestation to our postulations.
According to the statement, “The last occupant of the National Treasurer was from Kebbi State but the position of woman leader that ought to be rotated was further micro zoned and micro named to Kebbi State thereby suggesting that the action of the conveners was anything but equitable and just.
“We are aware that the Chairman Caretaker committee in pursuit of his known trait of impunity which he has been exhibiting in the course of his duty and in furtherance to his presidential ambition has decided to stand on grounds where Angels fear to tread by subsuming any persons interest within the state under his threshold.