•Atiku may not vote, party screens aspirants in Abuja
• BoT chair wants Saraki, Kwankwaso, others to return
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) has raised the alarm that there is a plot, by some officials of the federal government, to disrupt its national convention scheduled for Saturday, December 9.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye stated this when he briefed newsmen in preparation for the Abuja convention, yesterday.
Although Adeyeye conceded “there is no evidence that President Muhammadu Buhari is aware of the plot,” he noted that “those behind the plot know that once the opposition party convention is successful, it will be the begining of the end for the ruling All Progressives Congress( APC).
The opposition spokesman called on the president Buhari to take urgent steps to nip the plans in the bud, in the interest of the country’s democracy.
Adeyeye also disclosed that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar may bot vote at the convention. “All you need to do is pick up the constitution of the party and see whether Atiku is qualified to vote or not. “First of all, I can tell you that we are happy with Atiku coming back to the PDP. It is very exciting for all of us…He was one of the founding fathers, one of those who built this party and he is coming back home. His room was never occupied, so we have opened it for him.
“He will be part of this convention. He will even make a speech at the convention, but, he may not be voting at the convention.”
It was also a day the PDP Board of Trustees called on aggrieved members who left the party to follow Atiku’s footsteps “and return home.”
The invitation was extended to former members by the BoT Chairman, Senator Walid Jibrin, when he spoke with newsmen in Abuja, yesterday.
He said: “As the party joyfully welcomes Atiku back to his home PDP, we are equally waiting to receive more members.
“We are waiting for the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, other senators, members of the House of Representatives and APC governors who left the PDP. Let all of us unite and take back power from APC come 2019.”
It also emerged yesterday night that the PDP began screening of aspirants contesting for various positions at the party’s national convention.
Those screened as at press time were Chief Olabode George, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, Senator Rashidi Ladoja and Mr Jimi Agbaje.