Categories: Politics

PDP shifts nomination form deadline, aspirant screening

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has extended indefinitely the deadline for the submission of nomination and expression of interest forms ahead of its national convention.

The party also postponed the screening of aspirants earlier fixed for September 30.

PDP Publicity Sub-Committee Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, in a statement yesterday in Abuja, said the move was to ensure smooth preparations for the exercise.

According to him, the initial deadline of September 26 has been set aside, while a new date for the submission of forms and screening of aspirants will be announced in due course.

He urged aspirants to take note of the adjustment and await further communication from the convention committee.

The national elective convention is billed for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The PDP National Working Committee (NWC) had on August 18 inaugurated a 110-member organising committee chaired by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri to oversee arrangements for the convention. Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and former Minister Kabiru Turaki are first and second deputies, while Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah serves as secretary.

Other prominent members include Board of Trustees Chairman Adolphus Wabara; Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum; Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja; National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu; former Vice President Namadi Sambo; governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Caleb Muftwang (Plateau), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Kefas Agbu (Taraba), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara).

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki, ex-governors Mohammed Makarfi (Kaduna) and Aliyu Babangida (Niger) are also in the committee.

Earlier, the party had inaugurated a 44-member zoning committee on August 14 to recommend the distribution of national offices across the six geopolitical zones for ratification by the National Executive Committee (NEC).

Olayinka Babatunde