Indications have emerge that the Rivers State governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 23 local government areas in the state may not attend the forth coming August 28 Special National Convention of the party holding in Abuja.
The governor, it is learnt would not attend the party’s convention since he is yet to clear himself as a member of the Party following the suspension slam on him some two months ago.
Governor Amaechi had later gone to court to challenge his suspension and the court is yet to determine the issue.
The PDP, it would be recalled had urged the governor to withdraw his suits in the court before his recall to the party but it was gathered that Gov. Amaechi is yet to hearken to the directives of the party.
On the part of the Party Chairmen who are supposed delegates to the Party’s convention, it was gathered that as loyalists to Governor Amaechi in the face of the current crisis rocking the state, the chairmen may be deprived the opportunity since the state chapter of the party is not likely working with those francternizing with the governor. But indications also have emerge that some council chairmen allegedly loyal to the governor may not scale through the party’s screening for the special convention, an exercise that may justify the claims of who is loyal to who in the Rivers State polity.
The chairman of the special convention planning committee and former Minister of Information, Professor Jerry Gana has said that the final guideline for the convention will be released in August 15th, 2013 but said may not disrupt the purchase of forms by aspirants as already obtained.
As the day is drawing closer, could the Rivers chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party come to terms and formalize their representation to the special convention is the question on the lips of some concerned party Stewarts.
A party stalwart, Mr. Adulphus Adulphus who bears his mind on the possibility of the state governor attending the convention, said it is a sad scenario where a state governor is barred from his party’s activities.
According to Adolphus, Governor Amaechi was suspended alongside governor Wamako but wondered that Wamako was later recalled leaving governor Amaechi on the premise of instituting court action against his suspension by the party.
Adolphus is appealing to the PDP to let the governor participate in the special convention as the governor of Rivers State.
But in a swift reaction, a chieftain of PDP, Mr. Tamunokuro Mark has said that it is unconstitutional for a suspended member to attend any party functions, saying that the governor remain suspended until he is pardoned.###
James Mgboineme
