Ex-NWC members want next PDP chair, scribe to be independent-minded

Former National Working Committee (NWC) members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have listed qualities that next National Chairman and National Secretary of the party must possess.

The ex-party officials under the aegis of the Forum of former NWC members of the PDP, charged the BoT, PDP Governors’ Forum, National Caucus and other organs of the party to ensure that the candidates to be put forward for the position of National Chairman and National Secretary must be credible and independent-minded persons.

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The forum on Tuesday in a release by its Chairman Dr. Kema Chikwe and Secretary Barr. Mark Jacobs said the personalities should be capable of commanding the respect of all organs and tiers of the PDP, as well as the attention of Nigerians across board, including other political parties and the international community.

They also recommended that the October National Convention must be free, fair, transparent and credible to eliminate avoidable frictions in the party.

“National Chairman and the National Secretary should also be individuals who possess the strength of character needed to resist interferences by contending interests and insist on strict adherence to our party constitution.

“Either the National Chairman or the National Secretary must be a person who have cognate experience in Party administration with the requisite institutional memory needed to stabilize the party within the short time available before the general elections.

“More opportunities should be given to Women and Youth in the new NWC. The women play critical role in stabilizing the Party and control a very effective constituency; while the Youth introduce vibrancy in the positions they hold. Besides the Party needs to groom the younger generation for seamless succession,” they said.

They also advise that party leaders, especially the convention committee work with the legal department to ensure that there are no existing legal impediments and also forestall possible legal issues that may spring up.