PDP constitution amendment “unfortunate”

An amendment of the PDP constitution to include 72 federal lawmakers on its national executive committee has come under criticism from political watchers. Idris Miliki, a political analyst, called the amendment “an unfortunate situation”, insisting it would not be democratic. The amendment allows each state in the country to have a member of the house […]

An amendment of the PDP constitution to include 72 federal lawmakers on its national executive committee has come under criticism from political watchers.

Idris Miliki, a political analyst, called the amendment “an unfortunate situation”, insisting it would not be democratic.

The amendment allows each state in the country to have a member of the house of representative and one from the senate on the PDP’s executive committee.

In comments to Daily Trust shortly after more than 5,000 delegates at the convention at Eagle Square voted, Miliki said the amendment only favoured the prestige of party members in the National Assembly.

“It’s just that they want to be there when decisions are taken,” Miliki told Daily Trust by phone.

“They don’t want to be sidelined. It’s not as if they will make any meaningful contribution to the growth of the party.”

Egos on the sideline

In analysis, Miliki suggested that discomfort over the presence of unelected officials on the committee was a difficult situation for elected lawmakers.

“Nigerians like title. A senator [might feel angered] that people not elected should be on the committee.”

He noted emergence of winners on party platform routinely subordinated the party structure.

“You should first be elected at state level before national—I think that is how it should be.”

“What is your role in your party at state level? How important are you? What is your contribution in terms of ideas and moving the party?”