:::::NEWS::::: PDP refuses to sell nomination form to Udom By UBONG SAMPSON T he national body of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has barred the immediate past Secretary to Akwa Ibom State Government, Mr Udom Emmanuel from purchasing the party’s nomination form for the forthcoming gubernatorial election. Efforts by Udom to purchase the guber form has been frustrated since last week. In spite of the setback, Udom resigned his controversial SSG appointment last week to pursue a governorship ambition which many consider ill fated. A government house source revealed in confidence to our reporter that Udom had landed Abuja shortly after the party announced the commencement of nomination forms sale to purchase one for himself, but met a big surprise when the party refused to sell the form to him on grounds that “he is not qualified to run as governor”. The party questioned Udom’s membership status describing him as having “questionable membership record”. The PDP constitution says that for a member to qualify to seek an elective position, such a member must have been registered for not less than two consistent years. The source also disclosed that the party’s act was informed by some petitions against Mr Udom Emmanuel which they received from some factions in the aspirant’s state. “The petitions are perceived to be sponsored by people who are at the opposing end of both Udom Emmanuel and the (Akwa Ibom) state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio’s succession plan”, our source said. Part of the complaints contained in the petition against Udom, the source also revealed, was that the former Zenith Bank executive was never a genuine card-carrying party member before his aspiration came public sometime in the middle of last year. Both Akpabio and his godson, Udom are neck deep into resolving the issue but have continued to meet stiff opposition from all corners in Abuja. The situation may have informed the ongoing extreme quiet in the governor’s camp in the last two weeks.
Posted on: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 08:28:44 +0000