The ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has today begun its two-day National Convention at Eagles Square, Abuja.
Top on the agenda of the convention is the ratification of President Goodluck Jonathan as the party’s candidate in the February 14 presidential election and that of Adamu Mu’azu and Wale Oladipo as the party’s national chairman and national secretary, respectively.
Over 3,050 delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory are expected at the convention.
The delegates, according to the party’s spokesperson, Olisa Metuh, will be validating the candidacy of Mr. Jonathan on Thursday.
He had emerged the party’s sole presidential candidate in November, amid controversy over the withdrawal of his challengers, Jelil Tafawa Balewa, son of Nigeria’s former Prime Minister, and Akasoba Duke-Abiola, widow of the late Moshood Abiola.
Indeed, Mrs. Duke-Abiola is insisting she is still in the presidential race.
The president had been adopted by all the organs of the party, including its governors.
However, Mr. Jonathan’s adoption will still be ratified through the process of election in line with Section 87 of the Electoral Act to avoid litigations that could lead to the disqualification of the president from the impending contest.
On his part, Mr. Mu’azu, a former governor of Bauchi State, was appointed the PDP national chairman in January following the resignation of Bamanga Tukur from the position.
Mr. Oladipo was inaugurated in September last year.
The last presidential primary of the PDP held on January 14, 2011, at the same venue, Eagles Square.
In that election, Mr. Jonathan slugged it out with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Sarah Jubril.
The result announced by the Chief Returning Officer, Tunde Adeniran, a former education minister, showed that Mr. Jonathan polled 2,736 votes to beat Mr. Abubakar who got 805 votes while Mrs. Jubril got one vote.
Mr. Abubakar has since defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, on whose platform he is contesting the primary today in Lagos. He is running against four other aspirants.
The president, who went ahead to win the main presidential election, compensated Mrs. Jubril with an appointment as Senior Special Adviser to the President on Ethics and Values.
PREMIUM TIMES will bring you LIVE UPDATES of today’s convention at Eagles Square.
LIVEBLOG
16.49
The convention has kicked off. The Chairman of the Convetion Planning Commitee, Bello Mohammed, a former acting national chairman of the PDP, has conlduded his welcome address. He wished the delegates successful convention.
16.49
President Goodluck Jonathan and wife, Patience, are already seated at the Eagles Square, Abuja, as the PDP presidential primary gets underway. Vice President Namadi Sambo and wife, Amina, are also seated. Other dignitaries include Senate President, David Mark, and PDP chairman, Adamu Mu’azu.
16.50
The Chairman of the Electoral Sub-Committee, Ken Nnamani addresses the convention on the guidelines to be used for the election. He said there is only one aspirant to the office of the president since two others voluntarily withdrew. He however said there candidates for some vacant party offices. He is now reading out the names of the returning officers for the 36 states.
16.50
The convention has kicked off. The Chairman of the Convetion Planning Commitee, Bello Mohammed, a former acting national chairman of the PDP, has conlduded his welcome address. He wished the delegates successful convention.
17.22
PDP delegates queuing for screening outside the Eagle Square in Abuja just before the convention started.
18.01
The PDP convention has been on break for almost an hour now with several artistes performing.
18.02
The MC announces that the convention will soon begin to receive goodwill messages from party leaders.
18.19
Voting has started in Abuja. Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda has been asked to lead President Goodluck Jonathan to the Bayelsa State stand to vote. Mr. Yuguda is the Returning Officer for Bayelsa State Both of them accompanied by his wife, Pateince, Governor Seriake Dickson and others are now on their way to Bayelsa stand
18.44
President Jonathan and Vice President Namadi Sambo have concluded voting and have walked back to their seats at the VIP stand. Voting in progress.
19.43
Voting to ratify the appointments of the National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, the National Secretary, Wale Oladipo and the National Auditor has been concluded. The Electoral Committee headed by a former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, is soritng out the votes and will announce the outcome soon.
20.14
On of the MCs asked leaders of the various state delegation to prevail on the delegates not to leave the venue of the convention because there are three set of voting.
He said the voting to ratify the party’s national chairman, national secretary and national auditor has just been held.
He said a motion for the amendment of the party’s constitution would be moved and after that there will be voting and then the election of the presidential candidate will be held.
The delegates are persuaded to stay back until these rounds of voting are concluded.
20.55
A member of the Election Sub-Committee, Tom Ikimi, is reading the result of the election to ratify the PDP national chairman, national secretary and national auditr, state by state.
21.22
Convention ratifies the appointment of Adaamu Mu’azu as the PDP national chairman and that of the national secretary, Wale Oladipo. Mr. Mu’azu was ratified with 2,672 votes. 11 votes were voided while there were 8 no votes. Ken Nnamani announced the overall result after Mr. Ikimi read the votes from each state, Counting of votes to ratify Adewale Adeyanju’s appointment as national auditor is in progress.
21.55
Members of the National Working Committee of the PDP whose appointments were ratified at the convention have taken the oath of office.
22.45
PDP National Chairman, Adamu Muazu, urges all unsuccessful aspirants to show understanding as Nigeria can only develop when all stakeholders remain united.
22.47
PDP amends its constitution with more than two-thirds of votes cast at National Convention, Chairman of Electoral Panel, Ken Nnamani, declares
23.56
01.25
President Goodluck Jonathan has accepted the party’s ticket. He also announced he will be re-running for the office with his “tested and loyal” Vice President, Namadi Sambo, as his running mate.
Viewed 1 times
Nigeria 2015: PDP Presidential primaries — LIVE UPDATES
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for dropping your response, there are other interesting news on the page too