PDP to Holds Fresh National Convention on Aug. 17

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will hold a fresh national convention in Port Harcourt on Aug.17, to elect a new executive, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi, National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party has said.

Makarfi spoke on Thursday in Abuja, while addressing newsmen at the end of the party’s national caucus meeting.

He also said that the party would amend its constitution to address some of the reasons why a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, nullified the last amendment done by the party.`We discussed some programmes leading to the convention, meaning that the national convention will hold on Aug. 17 in Port Harcourt, where we will elect new national executive officers of the party.

``We have also discussed and agreed on a new amendment to the constitution in view of recent court judgments in order to align the constitution to the judgments that have been delivered by court of competent jurisdiction,’’ he said.

On zoning, he said that the party has set aside the previous zoning arrangement, adding that within the next few days a committee will be set up to arrived at a zoning formula.

Makarfi added that the meeting also received reports on its reconciliation process, saying it was now yielding positive impact, as Sen. Buruji Kashamu had pledged his full support for the committee.

``You can see by yourself, our brother, friend and associate, Sen. Buruji Kashamu; that is evidence of the reconciliation making progress.

``I can assure you that we will never foreclose full reconciliation with the disputed National Chairman, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff and another person that may still be associated with him.

``What we want is an all inclusive PDP, an equitable, fair and just system in the PDP.’’

He added that the party had also set up a special reconciliation committee to be chaired by Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, to further resolve the division within the PDP in the South West.

Sen. Walid Jubrin, the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), who also spoke, expressed joy on the return of Sen. Kashamu to the main PDP fold.

Jubrin also said that they had been meeting with Sen. Sheriff to ensure that the party’s leadership crisis was resolved amicably.