THE controversy over the Bayelsa governorship candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continued yesterday with members of the party sharply divided on the matter just as President Goodluck Jonathan appealed to the leadership of the party to embark on mass campaign for the planned removal of subsidy on petroleum products.The meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party was scheduled for 12 noon yesterday and the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and other members of the National Assembly came early but they all went to the office of the Acting national chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje where Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State and his Niger State counterpart, Alhaji Babangida Aliyu were already seated. They were shortly joined by the President and they held a meeting for about two hours.Although, no official statement was issued at the end of the meeting which no other member of the National Working Committee (NWC) attended, The Guardian gathered that the leadership of the party was worried about reported plan by the governors to discuss the matter at the NEC meeting so that the party could recognise Sylva as its candidate for the governorship election in Bayelsa next year.At the meeting, The Guardian gathered, the leadership of PDP pleaded with Sylva not to rock the boat by insisting that the matter be discussed. The governor was said to have insisted that the matter be resolved in his favour so that peace could reign in the party.It was later resolved that the matter be taken up immediately after the NEC meeting. According to sources, no date was agreed upon for the next meeting where discussion is expected to continue.Also discussed at the closed-door meeting in the chairman's office was the party's congresses and national convention where the next set of members of NWC is expected to emerge. The party had earlier fixed March next year for the activities but The Guardian learnt that at the meeting yesterday, the Acting National Chairman, Baraje told them that they should be cautious in fixing dates for the congresses and the convention because the issue of zoning of political offices had not been laid to rest.Following the emergence of Tambuwal as Speaker of the House of Representatives, the initial plan of the party to have the Speaker from the South West was altered and the immediate reaction of the party was to zone the position of national secretary to the South West while the North East would produce the national chairman but, according to the party, yesterday, consultation on the matter was still ongoing.Meanwhile, President Jonathan has urged the party to be in the vanguard of the campaign for the removal of oil subsidy. Speaking at the commencement of the NEC meeting, the president said the action is not meant to make Nigerians suffer but to lay a sound economic foundation for future generations.'Now, the issue is deregulation and people will like to ask why the PDP government is inflicting pains on Nigerians. But, there is no way myself and the governors, because we have discussed it over and over and we have agreed that the only way is to resolve the problems and relieve the pains on our people otherwise, this country will enter into a serious crisis, is to completely deregulate the down stream sector of the oil industry.'We are not taking the decision because we want to see Nigerians suffer; but we want to see a situation where more Nigerians will be able to get jobs; the economic activities to be able to be stimulated so people will have opportunity to survive with or without government.'Jonathan also explained the focus of the 2012 budget before the National Assembly saying: 'On the budget, most of us know that our target is to refocus the economy because we believe that we cannot continue to depend on oil. If the experts are saying that the reserve of oil that we need will last for 35 years or about, then we need to diversify, especially in the area of agriculture and manufacturing so that our children will not check out of the country.''In his opening remark, the Acting National Chairman of the party, said the issue of discipline in the party would receive utmost attention.Resolutions of NEC Meeting intended:'On the forthcoming Congresses to elect party officials at all levels, NEC commended the enthusiasm shown by party members nationwide especially the smooth conclusion of the update of ward registers. NEC expressed its determination to see to the successful conclusion of the transition exercise. NEC also agreed on proposals for consultations on zoning of party offices in order to consolidate our broadbased national support and carry each constituent part of the nation along. A decision on what office goes to what zone shall be communicated to members in due course.' NEC also dismissed speculations in some circles that plans are underway to dissolve some State Executive Committees before the expiration of their tenures. NEC affirms its commitment to provision of the party constitution on tenure of officials and urged officials concerned to disregard such rumours.' NEC was briefed on progress of the PDP Constitution review Committee lead by the National Legal Adviser. The committee is still working but has made substantial progress in fashioning a new constitution which shall be in tune with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act. The review Committee shall present a comprehensive report in due course.'NEC received a comprehensive report on the planned removal of fuel subsidy from the Vice President, Arc. Mohammed Namadi Sambo. NEC endorsed the plans and urged all Nigerians to embrace the project as a sure way to avoid the collapse of some economies in Europe. NEC urged party members to educate fellow citizens nationwide on the benefits of the removal and called for vigilance against those who wish to sabotage the programme.'Some of the highlights of the proposal is that the proceeds of the fuel subsidy removal shall be channeled to various critical sectors of the economy such as Education, Health Care, Road and Rail infrastructure, Hydro Electric Power and Industrial Development.The meeting was also attended by governors of Jigawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Cross River.
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