PDP may bar Bayelsa delegates from zonal congress

Soji Ajibola, Yenagoa - 04.03.2008

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may bar delegates from Bayelsa State from taking part in the zonal congress slated for today in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. This is not unconnected with the current wranglings in the state chapter of the party.

A faction of the party held its state congress which produced a 30-member exco with Rufus Abadi as the chairman. The election of Chief Abadi and others was described by the other faction as illegal. While Chief Abadi-led executive council is laying claim to the constitutional provision of the party which ordered the conduct of the party congresses nationwide, the other faction, led by Chief Fred Agbedi, submitted that the central caucus of the party, led by the Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, had met and taken the decision on the party congress.

The meeting had in attendance, Dr. Jonathan; Governor Timipre Sylva; his deputy, Honourable Peremobowei Ebebi; Mr. Ndutimi Alaibe; members of the National and State House of Assembly and a host of others.

Chief Agbedi said it was resolved at the meeting that the present executives from the ward to the state level should be allowed to complete their terms, thus, describing the conduct of any congress as illegal.

The conduct of the state congress has led to the suspension of the deputy speaker of the House of Assembly, Honourable Nestor Binabo, and some notable members of the party.