Rule of law will determine Oyinlola’s return –PDP •Convention now holds August 31

JULY 13, 2013  

Oyinlola

The Peoples Democratic Party has said the return of its former National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola will be determined by the rule of law.

The party said it was aware of the case instituted by the former governor of Osun State against his removal and the petition he also sent to the party, saying his office was not vacant.

Chairman of the PDP Special National Convention Committee, Prof. Jerry Gana, stated this at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday.

Gana said the committee had already sent Oyinolola’s petition to appropriate quarters to determine its merit or otherwise.

The former minister of information spoke in company with the secretary of the committee, who is also the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu.

Gana said, “We are aware of the petition by Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and we also believe in the rule of law. We have referred his petition to the appropriate legal organ for advice and we shall abide by the provisions of the law.”

Gana also allayed the fears in some quarters that the committee had constituted itself to a parallel National Working Committee  of the party.

“No, there was nothing like that,” he said, adding that the special convention of the party had been fixed for August 31, while the South-West congress is expected to hold on August 24 in Ibadan.

He said the convention was shifted from the earlier July 20 date to enable Muslims to observe the ongoing Ramadan.

Both Gana and Ekweremadu refused to speak on their lockout by the National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, when they went to his residence to see him on Wednesday.

While promising to conduct a credible convention, Gana said the guidelines for the convention would be released on August 15, adding that the sales of nomination forms had already commenced.

He said, “The appropriate nomination forms which had earlier been released by the committee remains valid, but more copies shall be available as may be required by interested members.

“For the avoidance of doubt, all nomination forms earlier purchased and completed by interested members remain valid.”