TWELVE members of the Peoples Democratic Party Board of Trustee (BoT), are expected to contest the trustee chairmanship position of the party on Tuesday.
The leading candidates include Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Dr. Ken Nnamani, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo. Others are Dr Amadu Ali, Chief Tony Aneni, Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu, Chief Don Etibet and Sen. Bode Olayinka. Also in the race are Chief Yekeen Adeojo, Sen. Onyeabor Obi, Chief Harry Akande and Chief Shuaibu Oyedo.
The Secretary of the Board, Senator Walid Jibrin, said that 20 candidates had earlier signified interest for its chairmanship. Eight candidates might have been dropped because they were not members of the party`s BOT.
Part 9, Section 32, Subsection 1 of the PDP Constitution specifically states that the Board of Trustees shall elect its Chairman and Secretary from its members. It also states that when elected, they will serve a single term of five years.
Jubrin said that the procedure of the election of the Board chairman was not specified in the party’s constitution, the BoT would implore a methodology that would ensure open and transparent election.
He advised contestants not to make the contest “a do or die affair”, adding that they should desist from campaign of calumny in their desire to become the BoT chairman.
He also urged them to realize that Board remained the party`s conscience and as such needed a man of high integrity, honour and respect to occupy the position.
Jubrin added that such a man must be a man without any blemish and must garner the respect of all Nigerians.
The Board of Trustees position in the PDP is the highest advisory body and custodian of the party charged with the responsibility of ensuring the highest standard of morality and discipline among party members.
Its membership comprises serving and past presidents and vice presidents of the country, who are still members of the party. It also consists of serving and Past National Chairmen of the party, National Secretaries, all past and serving Senate Presidents and Speakers of the House of Representatives who are still members of the party.
The party`s constitution further states that membership of its BoT shall reflect the country`s federal character. It further stipulates that every zone in the country must be adequately represented, especially in the case of chairman and secretary.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was the immediate past chairman of Board. He resigned his position last April to attend to other issues.