PDP Warns Pro – Jonathan Support Groups To Avoid Involving Party Officials In Rallies

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News, Politics Monday, September 15th, 2014

Niyi Adeyi

Following public outcry against the ralies/campaigns calling for President Goodluck Jonathan second term in office by different support groups across the country, the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has warned the organizers of the gatherings to stop involving its officials.

The warning was made in a statement issued Sunday by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh.

“The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has noted the various political rallies in support of some individuals ahead of the 2015 general elections.

“Whilst we recognize the inalienable right of citizens under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to freely associate and publicly express their support for persons of their choice, we however wish to restate in the strongest possible terms that no official of the PDP at any level should for any reason whatsoever be involved in such events until after the primaries”, Metuh declared.

The party Spokesperson therefore urged all support groups “struggling for legitimacy, supremacy or recognition” to henceforth desist from using PDP official names to actualize the objective of their campaigns.

Metuh however noted that the party leadership appreciated its officials as unbiased umpires with penchant to observe the dictates of internal democracy and as such, expected them to remain neutral until the emergence of candidates through PDP primaries in line with the provisions of the PDP constitution.

The warning, PDP stressed was the last to all support groups, while threatening it would not hesitate to take strict measures against any further “infraction on its integrity and that of its officials”.

It would be recalled many support campaign groups, notably the Trans formation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) has since the beginning of the year, began pro-Jonathan rallies in different geo-political zones of the country, canvassing for and collecting signatures to indicate support for Mr. President.

All the campaigns were attended and addressed by the government officials, leading the pack is the Secretary to the Federal government of Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim.