Udom Emmanuel in trouble, G22 guber aspirants reject PDP peace panel – The Nation newspaper

File photo: Nsima Ekere (2nd left) and other members of the G22 addressing their supporters

Following the controversial outcome of the governorship primary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, the aggrieved governorship aspirants of the party have rejected an invitation to appear before a reconciliation committee set up by the state chapter of the party.
In a statement issued on Friday, the aspirants under the aegis of Akwa Ibom State PDP Governorship Aspirants otherwise known as G-22 said the composition and constitution of the committee was illegal.

“We take great exception to the contemptuous display of continuous impunity in the issue of PDP governorship primary election of December 8, 2014 in Akwa Ibom State. Our arraignment before the purported Central Reconciliation Committee negates the provisions of PDP constitution and guidelines, concerning the governorship primary election.

“It is instructive to inform all that on December 9, 2014, in accordance with paragraph 20(g and I) of the PDP Electoral Guidelines for Primary Election, we have individually filed our complaints against the flawed electoral processes of December 8, 2014 with the stipulated appeal panel, the Gubernatorial Electoral Appeal Panel, consisting of all members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and headed by the National Chairman. This we clearly did within 24 hours demanded of us by paragraph 20(h) of the guidelines.”

The aspirants noted that it was wrong for them to appear before an amorphous reconciliation committee while their complaints were still pending before a duly recognized appeal panel of PDP.

“In the above circumstances, it is very preposterous to be summoned to appear before a panel of our traducers. It is on record that the members of the so called Central Reconciliation Committee were active participants and accessories before, during and after the illegalities surrounding the flawed primary election we have complained about. We can therefore not make ourselves available to be used to regularize a flawed process and achieve a conclusion we already know.”

Culled from The Nation newspaper