Lagos PDP Kicks Off Congress ….Inaugurates Screening Committee

Ahead of its upcoming congress , the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Lagos State chapter has inaugurated elders and leaders screening committee.

The committee which is chaired by a former acting National Secretary of the party, Chief Charles Akitoye, is expected to takeover the selection of the next crop of politicians who is going to lead the party at the ward, local government and state levels.

Speaking at the inauguration on Tuesday, the former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George, said the committee is the most critical job that the party requires to move forward.

The Atona Oodua said: “The essence of this is as a result of the decision by the National Executive Committee of the party to commence congresses in the wards, local government and their states that will also culminate at the National Convention of the party. You may think it is rather unusual, but I want to reaffirm that the experiences of the past made us to start in-house.

“These are not only the eggheads of this party these are the custodians of this party. So any one of you hoping to contest, they will screen you so that we can reduce the acrimony that we normally face or manipulation that do come from outside. We saw the results in the last time.

“It was like this party died. But if we start with the elders, looking at anybody wanting to be chairman, secretary, whatever position in the exco and they look at you, they will subject you to all kinds of questions and answers and you need to prove yourself to them.

“Now this is Lagos State internal organisation to make sure that we are stable before the national will start their job.

“And there’s nothing wrong when you know you have an external example that is coming. What do you normally do? The school will also first of all have a mock exam. We do a mock exam.

“And once you pass the mock exam, you are sure you will pass the big one. That is what we are doing. We are bringing civility, commitment, loyalty, dedication straight back to the party.

“They must ask you questions on what you’ve done, who are you, what have you been doing, not just somebody who would jump from one roof to the other, no. You must be solid. You must be grounded. You must be committed. And they must commend you that this man is worthy enough to carry the load of the party.”

On his part, the chairman of the committee, Chief Akitoye, said the committee will do their best in the assignment.

He said: “This assignment is the foundation for the rebirth of PDP, not only in Lagos State, but in the whole of the federation.

“If we do it right here in Lagos State, other states will want to copy us. I call it the foundation because from experience, usually after the rancor of wanting to select officers, we become enemies of each other and we started fighting that take us to election and when you fight, you divide yourself before the election, you have defeated your own party. But by this foundation, God’s helping us this committee will do the best.

“Once again, on behalf of every member of the committee, I want to reassure the generality of our party that God been on our side. I’m sure when we did the oath, we said God help us and I’m sure he’s going to help us.”

Other members of the committee are Mrs Onikepo Oshodi, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor Akerele, Chief Aduke Maina, and Dr Miran Adeniji, among others.