PDP NWC okays March 8 for Osun guber primary

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Uba Group

BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP , has approved the adhoc delegates mode for the primary election of the party in Osun State ahead of the July 16 governorship polling the state.

A letter, signed by the party’s national chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu and its secretary, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, which was addressed to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission revealed that the primary would hold with total observance to COVID-19 protocols.

The letter dated February 17 and received by INEC disclosed that the Congresses where 3-man adhoc ward delegates were elected between February 23 and 24 had been ratified. It also stated that local government congresses where one National delegate and one person living with disability per LGA were elected held on March 1, 2023.

Meanwhile, Ayu has assured governorship aspirants of the party in the state of a free and fair governorship primary next Tuesday.

Addressing a closed door meeting of the party’s National Working Committee with the six governorship aspirants of the party, Ayu declared that the primary election would hold as scheduled on March 8 and that the party has prepared very well to create level playing field for all aspirants.

The National Chairman reaffirmed the clearance and clean bill of health already given to the six aspirants and emphasised that the party leadership sees no reason or justification to disqualify any aspirant after the due diligence already conducted by two committees of the party.

Ayu was reported to have frowned at attacks and insinuations against the party leadership but insisted that he and his team would never serve special interests other than decisions of the party members and delegates as expressed in free and fair contest.

On the recently conducted adhoc Congress, Ayu was quoted as telling the aspirants that the party has confidence in Governor Ahmadu Fintiri who chaired the Congress Committee , declaring that so far, there was no basis for calls in certain quarters for the cancellation of the ward Congress.

While admonishing the aspirants to go home and canvass for votes among delegates, Ayu assured that the party would ensure a truly fair and free contest, noting, however, that the party leadership would never be used by anybody to manipulate the governorship selection process.

He urged the aspirants to support any of them who emerged on Tuesday, warning that the party expects all contestants to be sportsmanlike and place the interest of the party above selfish agenda.

Present at the meeting were Senator Ademola Adeleke, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, Hon Sanya Omirin, Mr Dele Adeleke and Mr Dotun Babayemi.

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