FLASH: #PDP Special Convention – Live Updates# Officials elected today will replace those forced to resign in June after the INEC reported fraud in the earlier elections. *Despite suspension, Andy Uba is attending the convention. He is seated beside his brother and three seats away from Nwoye. Andy arrived after the skirmishes at the state’s pavillion. *Voting time draws closer. Some aspirants are still moving round, concluding last-minute campaigns. *After hailing President Jonathan, Sule Lamido, Musa Kwankwaso and Aliyu Wamakko moved together to Jigawa pavilion where they are now seated. Supporters cheered as they strolled. *Governors of Kano, Jigawa, Niger and Sokoto, go in group to ‘pay homage’ to the president. Some of them are planning a new party. *Chairman Convention Committee, Jerry Gana, has given his opening speech. *Murtala Nyako’s faction have decided to stay away from the convention and would go to court on Monday to seek to upturn the convention for the use of wrong delegates list from Adamawa, our Adamawa source has said. *Convention proper kicks off with Muslim and Christian prayers.That was few minutes after president Jonathan walked in to a cheering welcome. *An aspirant for the position of National Women Leader, Nikky Nkiru Nwabueze, complains to journalists that despite being screened yesterday, the president told them that Kema Chikwe is going to be returned for the position. *“Write it like that,” she said. *Olisah Metuh, former spokesman of PDP, enters the pavillion to douse tension as bodyguards fence off Chris Ubah. Shouts of Tony Nwoye rent the air. *On the fron row of the pavillion, one delegate seats between the rivals, Nwoye and Ubah. Andy Ubah is not here yet. *At the Anambra pavillion, blows were actually exchanged. Some delegates said Chris Ubah been suspended and must leave. His supporters on the other hand said he must stay. Bruised faces staring at each other from both ends. *Security agents move in to the Anambra pavillion to calm the situation but hot arguments still on. *Fighting breaks out at the Anambra state pavilion as some delegates bar Chris Ubah from taking his seat. He is rough handled in the fight. *Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, arrives the venue. *Sule Lamido of Jigawa is also here. “If Lamido is here, who else is not here?” the announcer said, while announcing his arrival. *Sokoto state governor, Aliyu Wammako, and his deputy, Mukhtari Shagari just walked in, rubbishing speculations here at Eagle Square that the group of six northern governors might boycott the convention. *On the other side, the entire Adamawa pavilion is filled by people delegates loyal to a faction led by PDP Chairman Bamanga Tukur. Governor Murtala Nyako is reportedly holding a meeting in his residence with senators and House of Reps members loyal to him. *Security is tight here, but so far the security agents are displaying a high level of professionalism. A chopper has been hovering over Eagle Square since morning. We just hope the pilot is constantly checking his fuel gauge.
Posted on: Sat, 31 Aug 2013 13:49:37 +0000