TheCable

The Ahmed Makarfi’s faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says there is no going back on the Port Harcourt convention.

Dayo Adeyeye, spokesman of the faction, said this in response to inquiries by TheCable.

“We have said this earlier…The convention will go on unfailingly,” Adeyeye said in a text message.

His comment came few hours after Okon Abang, a judge of the federal high court Abuja, ordered that the exercise be suspended.

Abang, who had earlier declared the caretaker committee as illegal, also barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from monitoring the exercise, pending the determination of a substantive suit filed by Ali Modu Sherrif.

The judge ordered the inspector-general of police to enforce the order against the planned convention.

As seen in some parts of the city

Meanwhile, plans for the convention are in top gear. The Civic Center in Shark Stadium, venue of the exercise, has been decorated in the party’s colours of red and green.

The podiums, which would be used, have also been manned, while there is heavy security presence around the area.

TheCable gathered that accreditation for the convention will kick off by 8am at Presidential Hotel on Aba road.

The Rivers PDP secretariat located on Aba road, Port Harcourt, has also witnessed different activities.

Ibe displaying his wares

When TheCable first visited there around 11am on Tuesday, only few officials were seen, as majority of them were said to have gone to the court over the convention.

Some party supporters were also seen in groups discussing in hushed tones, with the word ‘Sheriff’ being mentioned repeatedly.

However, the atmosphere was different during a return visit around 6pm.

Apart from Chidi Paul, a trader who is into the sale of PDP publicity materials, many were seen in high spirit.

Paul complained that the economic situation of the country and the change in government, were having negative effect on his business.

“The change in government, and the current economic situation have been a source of concern,” he said.

Where are the buyers

“I am a strong supporter of PDP. I have been into this business for long, and I know how things were in the past. But since last year when Jonathan left power, things have not been the same.

“Just imagine, we have not received good patronage today. The wares are here, being displayed, but people are not showing interest.

“Anyway, we will keep trying. After tomorrow’s convention, we will be going to Ondo for the primary election. We pray things get better there. We were also in Edo for the primary.”