The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has vowed not to shelve its planned National Convention despite reconciliation efforts.
National Publicity Secretary of the PDP Caretaker Committee, Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, made this known during a pre-convention press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday.
The party scribe emphasised that the convention scheduled for March 29–30 remains sacrosanct while reading out the timetable for the event.
He said, “Reconciliation is an ongoing thing, and it cannot in any way prevent the caretaker committee from carrying out the convention.
“If you recall, we had initially informed the representative of the Turaki group who attended our last NEC meeting that whatever their written proposals may be, two things remain sacrosanct: the existence of this caretaker committee and the conduct of this National Convention.”
Mohammed said the process will commence on Thursday with the publication of the names of members of the National Convention Planning and Organising Committee and its subcommittees.
He said the groups will handle key areas such as venue, security, accreditation, media, protocol, electoral matters, zoning, screening, and medical services.
He added that all the committees will be inaugurated on Saturday, March 21, at 8 p.m., at a yet-to-be-announced venue.
He added that on the next day, March 22, the Zoning Committee will meet to decide how party positions will be shared across the country’s geopolitical zones, a step that often shapes the outcome of the convention.
This is expected to be followed by an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Monday, March 23, at 12 noon at the FCT Minister’s Lodge in Life Camp, Abuja.
After that process, the sale of nomination forms will begin and run until March 25, closing at 3 p.m.
Thursday, March 26, has been earmarked for hearing appeals arising from the screening process and related activities, with proceedings expected to end by 7 p.m.
“The appeals will close by 7 p.m.,” he stated.
Before the main event, the party will host a pre-convention cocktail on Saturday, March 28, at 5 p.m. at the Minister’s Lodge in Life Camp with attendance strictly by invitation.
“The National Convention is slated for 29th and 30th of March this year,” Mohammed said.
He explained that the process conforms with electoral requirements, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been notified and has already monitored its ward, local government, and state congresses.
