PDP NWC Resolves to Obey Court Order over Rivers Caretaker Committee Palaver

•Releases guidelines  for congresses, to hold in 26 out of 36 states

Chuks Okocha in Abuja

The  National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, said while it was willing to apply political solution in resolving the one-sided list of members of the Rivers State Caretaker Committee, it has been restrained by the order of a Federal High Court in Abuja on the matter.

As a result, the leadership of the party said the list of members of the caretaker stood as published a fortnight ago.

The Rivers State Governor, Siminalye Fubara, had vowed not to allow the list that was tilted towards the faction led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike to prevail.

The PDP national caucus had directed after a pre-national caucus meeting last week that a political solution should be applied to the list tilted in favour of the Wike camp.

It rather said it was further consulting with the party’s governors and other organs of the PDP to resolve the issue.

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP said, “After an extensive deliberation, the NWC noted the existence of an ex-Parte Order issued by the Federal High Court, Abuja restraining the NWC from further action with respect to the status of the Rivers State Caretaker Committee List as published.

“The National Working Committee (NWC) at its emergency meeting today, Tuesday, April 23, 2024 reviewed the issue of the Caretaker Committee of River State.

“However, while the Rivers State Caretaker Committee List as published stands in compliance with the Order of the Court, the NWC notes the concerted intervention and efforts of various Organs of the Party, particularly the PDP Governors’ Forum to finding a political solution to the issue of the River State Caretaker Committee,” Ologunagba stated.

He said the NWC, therefore, resolved to, in conjunction with the PDP Governors’ Forum, intensify action in the continuing consultation to resolving the issues of the Rivers State PDP Chapter amicably.

Meanwhile, in  line with the directives of the National Executive Committee (NEC), the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has released the guidelines for the congresses into the wards, local governments and states.

The wards, local governments and states congresses is expected to take place in 26 states out of the 36 states as well as the Federal Capital Territory.

In a document obtained by THISDAY and signed by the National Organising Secretary of the party, Hon. Umar Bature, the party announced the dates and schedule of the primary elections beginning from April 22 in the following states.

The states are Edo, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Rivers, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, FCT, Niger, Benue, Plateau, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Enugu, Imo, Abia, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti, Ebonyi and Anambra.

According to the documents, between May 1 and 31, the party would commence membership drive in the affected states to boost the membership strength of the PDP in those places.

Also, the schedule stated that, it is to “enable all old and new members register in their respective wards and for a periodic membership assessment.”

While between June 3 to June 17, 2024, there would be sales of nomination forms, including ad-hoc forms, in clearly identified states. The last day for the submission of all duly completed forms by aspirants is slated for June 21 2024 in the earlier mentioned states.

The ward congresses to elect ad-hoc the three delegate members is slated to take place on June 29 2924, while the ward congresses appeal, if any is to take place on July 2 2024. The appeal committee is the hear petitions from the congresses

The local government congresses to elect local governments area executive and the national delegates is expected to take place on Saturday July 6 2024, while appeals to the local governments is expected to take place on July 9 2024.

The state congresses is slated to take place on July 13 2024 in the earlier affected states and appeals thereof will take place July 17 to consider appeal from petitions from the conduct of the state congresses.

According to schedules of the guidelines, the NWC of the party would meet on July 24 to approve all elected executives. Consequently, the NEC would meet to ratify all elected executives.