*insists 2019 presidency zoned to North, party chairman to South
By ABUBAKAR IBRAHIM, Abuja
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lashed out at the ruling APC and President Muhammadu Buhari for using the anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in silencing the opposition.
PDP voiced this out in a communiqué issued after its 71st NEC meeting, held at its national secretariat on Tuesday in Abuja.
“NEC observed and condemned in strong terms the arbitrary arrest and detention of PDP members on account of Party campaign funds by the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari and urged Nigerians and the International Community to request the APC Administration to investigate the campaign funds of its Party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) as some accusations of misuse of public funds are also leveled against some APC governors and stakeholders.
“NEC further decried the selective probe of PDP members by the anti-graft agency under the administration of the APC as a case of witch-hunt and unnecessary oppression aimed at silencing members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“NEC therefore demand the immediate release of all members of the PDP in the custody of the anti-graft agency, the EFCC, or charge them to Court without further delay,” the communiqué stated.
According to the communiqué signed by the party’s Head, Publicity Division, Adm. Chinwe Nnorom, in-line with the report of the Ekweremadu Committee, the forthcoming National Convention will formerly ratify the zoning of the PDP Presidential Ticket for the 2019 Presidential Election to the North and the zoning of the National Chairmanship position to the South of the country, respectfully.
The meeting which deliberated on several issues affecting the party and the nation, also agreed on earlier decision that the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party will hold in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State at the Shark Stadium on Saturday, the 21st of May 2016 as earlier scheduled.
“NEC also resolved that due to the issues arising from the just concluded congresses at the wards, local governments and states, especially in Sokoto, Zamfara, Anambra, Lagos and Adamawa states, that a Special Committee shall be constituted after the National Convention to look into the matter accordingly,” it informed.
AUTHENTIC News Daily gathered that the NEC was well attended and had the National Chairman, H.E. Sen. (Dr.) Ali Modu Sheriff, the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Senator Walid Jibrin, PDP State Governors, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), members and leaders of the National Assembly and other members of NEC and BOT.
