Nigeria Content Online

The National
Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Okwesilieze Nwodo
yesterday warned officials involved in the on-going electoral process
in the party not to flout the guidelines spelt out for the process.

Mr Nwodo gave this
warning while reacting to issues raised by various aggrieved party
members, especially aspirants alleging irregularities in the process.

The party had,
during its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting two weeks ago,
approved the fresh guidelines for its State Assembly, National
Assembly, gubernatorial and presidential primaries. It also approved
panels to screen the aspirants and later raised appeal panels to handle
complaints arising from the process.

Mr Nwodo said that
the National Working Committee (NWC) will not tolerate situations where
officials or members violate the guidelines which the party had made
efforts to draw up in order to ensure a credible process.

He said that he has
dedicated a special telephone line (08060095007) to welcome views and
complaints arising from the intra party process across the country.

The party boss
added that barely 24 hours after installing the telephone line, he had
read and reacted to over 25 text messages (SMS) on the election across
the country.

Problem states

He listed the sates
from which complaints came to include Plataeu, Abia, Bayelsa, Oyo,
Anambra and Enugu. Others include Osun, Lagos, Delta, Kwara and Ebonyi.

Mr Nwodo added that
most of the complaints alleged manipulations by some party leaders to
thwart the will of the party members and some deliberate attempts to
exclude majority from participating and picking leaders of their choice.

According to him,
he has referred some of the issues raised by the complainants to the
relevant panels for attention and necessary action.

Mr Nwodo also
reiterated his determination to ensure that internal democracy is
allowed to prevail in the party just as he vowed to provide a level
playing ground to all aspirants.