SAN FRANCISCO, August 17, (THEWILL) – The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Wednesday suspended the election into its national executive council during its national convention, but extended the tenure of its National Caretaker Committee led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi to twelve months.
The party has been embroiled in a major leadership tussle between Senator Ali Modu-Sheriff and the Caretaker Committee headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi. Conflicting court rulings have also not helped to resolve who controls the national executive of the party.
The caretaker committee, whose tenure expires this weekend, is now to continue spearheading the affairs of the party following a motion moved at the convention by the Deputy President of the Senate, Chief Ike Ekweremadu.
Meanwhile, membership of the caretaker committee was increased to thirteen from the earlier six it was in May this year when it was constituted.
The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Leo Ogor had moved a motion for election into the national offices to be suspended and it was seconded by voice vote.
In his acceptance speech, Makarfi promised at the convention, which held at the PDP Secretariat along Aba road, that he would “sustain efforts in rebuilding, reuniting the lost glory of the party.”
After the police sealed off the Sharks stadium venue of the convention in Port-Harcourt, Members of the National Executive Committee of the party had proceeded to meet at the Government House. Chairman of the National Convention Planning Committee and Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, presided over the meeting.
