ABUJA (Sundiata Post) – The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in its 69th meeting held in Abuja on Monday deliberated on critical issues as they relate to the party and the nation, and approved the time-table for the party’s congresses and national convention. Congresses will begin on Saturday, April 23, 2016 and culminate in the national convention on Saturday, May 21, 2016.
According to a communique signed by Senator Ali Modu Sherrif, national chairman of the party and available Sundiata Post, NEC approved the party’s Guidelines for Congresses and the National Convention. National Convention holds in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement reads “NEC after exhaustive deliberations approved the extension of the tenure of office of all organs of the party at all levels until the conduct of Congresses and National Convention. This is however with the exception of Edo and Ondo States. NEC approved the setting up of four special committees in preparation for the National Convention. They are National Convention Committee, Reconciliation Committee, Zoning
Committee and Finance Committee.
“NEC considered the erosion of fundamental human rights and constitutionally guaranteed personal liberty of Nigerians, especially key leaders of the PDP by the APC-led Federal Government and condemned the incessant harassment, maltreatment and unlawful incarceration of PDP leaders at various levels by government-controlled law enforcement and prosecution agencies.
“NEC also condemned the Friday, March 4, 2016 invasion and raiding of Ekiti State House of Assembly and subsequent arrest and continued detention of four PDP members of the House by the
Directorate of State Services (DSS) on trumped-up charges. The party also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the four PDP members of the Ekiti House of Assembly by the DSS.”
While the PDP NEC resolved to stand in solidarity with all Nigerians whose fundamental rights as citizens are being infringed upon by the Federal Government, he also called on the international community and all civil rights organisations world-wide to take note of the denial of fundamental human rights, abuse of liberties and freedom of individuals; and the rapid descent of Nigeria into totalitarianism.
NEC also condoled with the families of its 18 members who were brutally murdered in Ogoni land in Rivers State as well as with the Federal Government and the Government of Kogi State over the unfortunate death of the late Minister of State for Labour, Mr. James Ocholi, and resolved to send a high-powered delegation to condole with his family.
The PDP NEC also congratulated all its members who won in their rerun elections, including former Senate President, Senator David Mark.