TheCable

Udom Emmanuel, governor of Akwa Ibom state, says he is making deliberate moves to ensure that all interests are accommodated during the conduct of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congresses scheduled to commence on Saturday.

The governor disclosed this at an enlarged PDP stakeholders’ meeting at the government house banquet hall, Uyo, on Wednesday.

He said expanding congress coordinating committees was strategic to ensure power resides with the larger strata of the society and allow for consensus decisions in the selection of party officers.

“We’ve tried to carry everybody along in the selection of stakeholders and to ensure power resides with the people,” he said.

“Let’s avoid conflict. The expansion is representative. It will forestall imposition, a situation where one or two sit down to make compilation of list that amount to imposing their wish on all. Because we want to build a strong party and carry everybody along. Let there be consensus decisions. We did it last time and it worked.”

Emmanuel, who doubles as leader of the party, stated that the expanded congress coordinating committees in each Local Government Area, besides the chairmen and secretaries earlier appointed, will now include the Council Chairman, House of Assembly member, National Assembly member, Commissioner, PDP Chapter Chairman, two elders or stakeholders, one youth, one woman, any Board Chairman and state officer of the party from that LGA.

He maintained that the party was for everybody and for nobody, hence those that have personal ambitions should not try to rig the process in their favour. He clarified that the party will not disrupt already existing local zoning system where zoning has been adhered to over time, but warned that trying to create a zoning formula that was hitherto nonexistent, may cause problems.