Prince Uche Secondus of Rivers State has emerged as newly elected National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party to direct the affairs of the Party for the next four years.
Secondus emerged victorious in an election that had witnessed keen interest by eight other candidates but following consultations and permutations, were finally reduced to only three.
In the polls, Prince Secondus scored a total of two thousand votes, while Prof Tunde Adeniran of Ekiti State and High Chief Raymond Dokpesi of Edo State scored two hundred and thirty and sixty-six votes, respectively.
Other national officers elected at the Convention are;(2) Sen Gamawa Babawo Garba of Bauchi State, as Deputy National Chairman(North), (3) Elder Yemi Akinwonmi of Ogun State as Deputy National Chairman (South),(4) Sen Ibrahim Tsauri from Katsina State as National Secretary, (5) Dr Agbo Emmanuel of Benue State as Deputy National Secretary, (6) Hon Aribisala Adewale of Ekiti State as National Treasurer, (7) Alhaji Wada Masu of Kano State as Deputy National Treasurer, (8), Abdulahi Hussein Maibasara of Niger State as National Financial Secretary, (9) Hon Irona Alphonsus Gerald of Imo State as Deputy National Financial Secretary, (10) Col Austine Akobundu (rtd) of Abia State as National Organizing Secretary, (11) Barr Hassan Yakubu of Nasarawa State as Deputy National Organizing Secretary, (12)Mr Kola Ologbondiyan of Kogi State as National Publicity Secretary, (13) Hon Diran Odeyemi of Osun State as Deputy National Publicity Secretary,(14) Barr Emmanuel Enoidem of Akwa-Ibom as National Legal Adviser, (15) Barr Ahmed Bello Liman of Sokoto State as Deputy National Legal Adviser,(16) Mai Adamu Mustapha of Yobe State as National Auditor, (17) Miss Divine Amina Arong of Cross River State as Deputy National Auditor, (18) Hajia Mariya Waziri of Kebbi State as National Woman Leader, (19)Umoru Adizet Audrey Hadizet of Edo State as Deputy National Woman Leader, (20) Rt Hon Ude Okoye of Enugu State as National Youth Leader and (21) Umar Babangida Maina of Adamawa State as Deputy National Youth Leader.
The Convention which, in every ramification, was adjudged transparent and a huge success, was graced by very notable personalities, including the immediate past President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, former Vice Presidents Atiku Abubakar and Namadi Sambo, Governors, Senators, international observers, the Independent National Electoral Commission and Civil Society Organizations.
With the huge success recorded at the Convention, especially with the open condemnation of impunity and imposition that had previously dealt a deadly blow to the electoral fortune of the Party by Prince Uche Secondus, there is no doubt that the PDP has succeeded in repositioning itself effectively for the task of retrieving the citizens of Nigeria from their present hardship forced on them by the APC government of President Muhammadu Buhari which has proved beyond every doubt that it has no clue on how to govern and manage the diverse interest and economy of a multy-ethnic polity.
Kudos must be given to the recently dissolved National Caretaker Committee of the Party that was led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi for effectively piloting the affairs of the Party in its most turbulent times.
In the same vein, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State and members of his National Convention Planning Committee must be commended for doing a very thorough job that guaranteed a hitch-free, transparent and exceptionally successful National Convention.
The Electoral Sub-Committee of the Convention Planning Committee headed by former Governor of Benue State, Dr Gabriel Suswan, was dexterous and ingenious in the discharge of its functions. They also deserve commendation.
The Security Agencies must be appreciated for being tenacious and professional in handling security challenges that that could have marred the success of the convention, especially when taken into consideration the alleged threat by Boko Haram to bomb Abuja during this Christmas period.
To all the delegates, you should be satisfied you have performed an important responsibility the constitution of our Party demands from you.
Congratulations to the new National Executive Committee of our Great Party, the PDP.
