Governor Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State has expressed
happiness at the orderliness and rancour-free atmosphere that attended
the
Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) Ward Congress held in the State, maintaining that it
was “democracy
in action.”
He made this known during an inspection tour of some wards in the State
while the congress and election of twenty five delegates from
the two hundred and
sixty electoral wards in the State was being conducted.
The wards visited by the governor included Agbani, Obe and Ozalla Wards,
all in Nkanu West Local Government Area of the State.
At the Central School Agbani, venue of the ward congress and election of
delegates, Governor Nnamani witnessed the recording of the results of the
election of the delegates by the congress officials which had already been
concluded before his arrival.
Addressing the congress participants, the governor expressed satisfaction
with the peaceful, smooth and successful conduct of the exercise, which went
without any hitch.
The governor, who noted with delight the massive turn-out, enthusiasm, effective
participation in a convivial atmosphere, congratulated the party members
for blazing the trail in the practice of participatory democracy.
Earlier, the party chairman of Agbani Ward, Mr. Hyacinth Ogbodo, had told
the governor that the congress and election were peacefully and successfully
carried out, using the Option A4 system to elect the twenty five delegates
who are to represent the Ward in future congresses of the party in the state.
At the Obe Ward, Governor Nnamani also observed the active participation
of party members and the successful conduct of the exercise.
He commended the party members for ensuring that the congress was transparent
and without any tinge of rancour or violence.
The Obe Ward Chairman, Chief John Ngwu, had said that the exercise was done smoothly,
without any problem, emphasizing that the peaceful conduct of the party members
was a testimony that the party was a big family.
Governor Nnamani, also at the Central School , Ozalla venue of the congress,
described the conduct of the exercise as a celebration of democracy in practice.
The Chairman of the Ward, Chief Mathew Ugwu, told Governor Nnamani that the exercise
was carried out smoothly and in accordance with the guidelines of the party.
Uniformed men of the Nigeria Police and plainclothes State Security Service operatives
were, however, in all the venues of the congress to ensure law, security and
order at the venue.
Meanwhile, Governor Nnamani had,
the previous day, renewed his appeal to the PDP leadership in the State
to ensure that
the party’s congress scheduled
for Saturday, November 4, 2006 was conducted peacefully.
Addressing separate meetings of the
State and Ward Executives of the party at the Michael Okpara Square, Enugu,
Governor
Nnamani advised them to also
ensure that the exercise was conducted according to the party’s guidelines.
“We expect our Council Chairmen and party executives at all levels to
ensure that there is peace, that these activities are conducted smoothly and
fairly with fairness and transparency”, the governor said.
He reminded them that peaceful, free and fair congress would reduce protest
and disagreement, as well as eliminate violence and rancour, adding that PDP
as a family in the State had no interest other than to ensure that the exercise
succeeded.
The meeting, which was attended by
the State and Ward Executives of the party from all the wards in the state,
was part
of the governor’s ongoing consultation
and dialogue with stakeholders of the party towards the forthcoming congresses
and primaries.