By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Secretary, Venue Sub-Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC), Honourable Adedeji Olajide, has assured that all is set for the party’s national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The assurance comes amid conflicting court orders on the national convention and directives from the two factions of the party.
Olajide, who is the Member representing Ibadan North West/South West Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, assured of readiness to hold the convention during an inspection of Lekan Salami Sports Complex, venue of the convention on Thursday, November 13.
He was accompanied on the inspection by the Oyo State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Venue Sub-Committee of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC), Mr Bayo Lawal, and the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke.
Olajide said: “I can tell you right now, and if you look all around, you will see that everything is fully activated; the stages are coming up, the flags are flying, and the branding is going on. We are ready.
“In terms of the centre, we will say we are about 60 per cent regarding setup. And the convention is going on in full force.
“We are extremely delighted that we are moving forward with this under the leadership of our governor, Seyi Makinde, who is the host governor. We are ready.”
Impact Nigeria Newspaper observed that the convention venue was flooded with posters of candidates contesting various positions and banners announcing the national convention.
It was also observed that a heavy security presence was in place in and around the venue, with an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) stationed at the main entrance.
On the challenges to the national convention, the lawmaker pointed out the perennial traffic congestion along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, given that the Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Ibadan, is not fully functional yet.
“Logistics-wise, the Lagos-Ibadan expressway is a bit congested, and you know our airport is not fully functioning. So, the Lagos-Ibadan expressway is a bit congested right now with all of the traffic.
“You can imagine about 6,000 people trying to get to Ibadan for this event tomorrow. It’s pretty heavy with heavy-duty trucks moving stage and sound equipment here. Those are just the logistics challenges that we are faced with. By and large, everything is moving smoothly,” Olajide told Impact Nigeria Newspaper.
Recall that the party has been embroiled in controversies over its national convention, with the two factions giving conflicting directives to members.
While the acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum, faction said the convention would go on as scheduled, the Nyesom Wike/Samuel Anyanwu faction announced its cancellation.
The Damagum faction, relying on the Ibadan High Court’s extension of the ex parte order allowing the convention to go on, urged delegates to ignore the call-off call by the other faction.
The extension of the court’s order will remain in force until Friday, November 14, when the substantive case comes up for further hearing.
The Wike/Anyanwu faction warned that delegates should not attend the convention because they would be contravening the July 31 judgment by a Federal High Court presided over by Justice James Omotosho, which voided the convention.
Another Federal High Court judge, Justice Peter Lifu, gave an interim injunction on Tuesday, November 11, stopping the convention following the prayers by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, who is contending that he was being excluded from contesting as national chairman with the denial of forms.
