Ahmed Makarfi, National Caretaker Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, has said members of the party vying for the party’s national Chairman but have cases with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will not be dropped during its convention.
He explained that they will not be dropped from contesting because “nobody is proven guilty until he is convicted by a competent court.”
Speaking when a national chairmanship aspirant, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, paid him a courtesy call in Abuja, Makarfi assured that the party’s upcoming convention will be free and fair.
Makarfi said, “So it is all politics and we must be careful not to play into the hands of the opposition, which may seize the opportunity and start pinning cases on PDP members to the extent that there will be nobody to present a candidate.”
The former Kaduna State governor also dismissed the claim that the convention may be postponed for the paucity of funds.
He said: “The allegation is not true.
“PDP is a committed political party and not after money.
“It is not all about money. We can always provide for the logistics in any election or convention.”
Makarfi also dismissed claims that the South West BoT shortlisted some candidates for the convention.
He said that only the national caretaker committee of the party can speak on the conduct of the convention.
Makarfi said: “We have never affirmed that and nobody was delegated to say so.
“At the PDP caucus meeting held last week, the BoT said categorically that they didn’t say so.”
Makarfi enjoined aspirants to observe decorum in the course of their campaign.
He warned that there should be no negative campaign “because, at the end of the day, only one person will win and all aspirants will accept the result of a free fair convention.
“Let’s bring our faith in focus and I assure you that the PDP will provide a level playing field and it is our collective resolve that PDP will be the winner at the end of the day and not an individual.
“We are all one large family.
“I assure you that we shall organise a just, fair and transparent convention that will bring out the best and promote unity among all.”
