PDM Calls on INEC to Review Registration as Party

Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), a pressure group within the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) and the nation’s political space, has called on the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to reconsider the
registration of PDM as a party.
The Movement under the chairmanship of Senator Abubakar Mahdi rose from a
meeting of its founding fathers and Elders’ Committee in Abuja Wednesday
with a communiqué demanding INEC to act in accordance with its call for
the purpose of withdrawing the registration of PDM which it (INEC) granted
registration as a party about three months ago.
Some members of the Movement, under the interim chairmanship of Malam
Bashir Ibrahim Yusuf, had secretly filed papers with the INEC for the
transformation of the Movement into a political party, which the electoral
body approved.
But the Mahdi-led PDM, which said Yusuf and his collaborators acted
clandestinely without consultation and due process, has continued to
insist that the Movement remains a pressure group in the PDP and the
nation’s political space.
After the meeting of the founding fathers and members of the Elders’
Committee for several hours at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on
Wednesday, the Movement resolved to concur with the views expressed by
Zonal Coordinators and State Working Committees representing 28 states of
the Federation that “rejected the registration of PDM as a political party
without consultation and due process, and calls on INEC to reconsider the
registration of PDM as a party for the purpose of withdrawing the
registration.”
The Movement, according to the two page communiqué, signed by the Chairman
of the meeting, Dr Farouk Abdulazeez, reviewed the current impasse in the
PDP and appreciated efforts of President Goodluck Jonathan and the Party
Leadership in ensuring a speedy resolution and reconciliation of the
issues involved.
The communiqué quoted the Movement to have resolved at the meeting to
maintain its status as a pressure group within PDP and deploy it in
support of all PDP candidates in all future elections at all levels.
The Movement noted and appreciated all its members who have kept faith
with its original mission and vision.
According to the communiqué, “The meeting was well attended by a cross
section of founding fathers and leaders including, among others, Dr Farouk
Abdualzeez, Chief Tony Anenih, Chief Chris Agbobu, Senator Hamisu Musa,
Senator Abubakar Mahdi, Engineer Afam Nwana, Hon. Dubem Onyia, Alhaji
Murtala Shehu Musa Yar Adua, Alhaji Bala Hadith and Senator Ifeanyi
Araraume.
“The meeting remembered and observed a minute silence in memory of some
departed founding fathers and members of the PDM; those remembered for
their invaluable contributions are: General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua (Tafidan
Katsina), Alhaji M.S. Buhari, Mrs Maria Ekeh, Alhaji Haruna Elewi,
Ambassador Bidmus, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu
Kwatalo, Chief John Okpa, Senator Polycarp Nwite, Senator Paul Ukpo, Mrs
Wyte, Barrister Chinedu, Alhaji Abubakar Koko, Senator Chuba Okadigbo,
Alhaji Ismaila, Alhaji Iro Dan Musa, Mr Dan Etukudo, Chief Ojo Fadumila,
Alhaji S.A. Lawal, Dr Olatunji Mohammed, Alhaji Amasa Jidda, Wada
Abubakar, Chief Lamidi Adedibu, Chief S.M. Afolabi, Alhaji Shitta Bey,
Chief Eric Aso and Alhaji Ahmed Rufai.”