By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Ahead of party primaries scheduled to begin this weekend across states of the federation, loyalists of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State have appealed for strict adherence to the constitutional rules regulating the conduct of the exercise to ensure peace which is one of benefits of democracy.
In an open letter addressed to the national chairman of PDP in Abuja dated May 16, 2022, and made available to New Nigerian in Uyo, the group wants the national body of the party to take urgent steps that will ensure a smooth, constitutional and level playing ground for all the elections especially the governorship nomination contest in the state by ensuring an acceptable standards.
Signed by former State Vice Chairman, Hon Imoh Okon, Mr Uduak Isobara, Youth Leader, Hon Ufot Nkangude, former State Auditor and Lady Caristine Akpan as women representative.
The party faithful however, drew inference to the recently held party congressess to elect three man Ad-Hoc Delegates, the National Delegate and the Physically challenged persons which they observed, were clearly abused and hijacked by the state party apparatus in the state.
They equally drew the attention the entire national leadership of the party to the documented guidelines and provisions as contained in the 1999 Federal Constitution as amended, the 2022 Electoral Act as amended and PDP Constitution which all, captured free and transparent polls at all levels.
“We are members and major stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State who are very concern that the party follows the constitution and guidelines of the party during the forth coming primaries to elect our flag bearers to various elective position during the forth coming general elections in 2023 especially, the gubernatorial election. “This appeal and request is predicated upon the recent happenings in the party where the election processes of the Three man Ad-Hoc Delegates, the National Delegate and the Physically challenged persons were clearly abused and hijacked by the state party apparatus. “The spirit and letters of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act, the Party Constitution and its Electoral Guidelines guarantee equality of treatment of all aspirants to elective positions at every level of the party and a complete adherence to the Electoral Act, the Party Guidelines and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the group stated.
Stating their prayers further, the group requested the national body of the party to ensure that “the provisions, letter and spirit of Party’s guideline and constitution; and the Electoral Act 2022 be strictly adhered to during the conduct of this election. “That only INEC certified true copy of the elected officers from Ward to State levels of our party during the March 2020 Party congresses are allowed to participate and vote during the congress (Party Primaries). “That only the Permanent Voters Card (PVC) with a photo Identification plus the party membership card be used for identification and accreditation during the conduct of the elections (Party Primaries). “That only the National Organising Secretary signed list of Statutory Delegates including those in items (i) and (ii) above and allowed to participate and vote during the elections (Party primaries) “That only accredited delegates, agents, journalist, security personnel should be allowed into the venue of the party primaries and voting. Government appointees and or agents in the guise of observers should not be permitted into the arena for the primaries. “That accreditation of delegates, agents etc should be done only at the venue of the primaries and voting “That the panel to conduct this election shall not only claim to be neutral but be seen to be so especially not be influenced by the state government personnel and agencies giving the present and recurring antecedents.”
