QUOTE PDM commences move to withdraw party’s certificate

The Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) yesterday began the process of deregistering the political party registered under its name as it resolved to ensure the withdrawal of the certificate given to the association to function as a political party.

The movement also vowed to reclaim its members lost in the aftermath of the registration of PDM as a political party by setting up a committee to go round the country with a view to wooing back those that have left its fold.

A group within the movement led by Alhaji Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim, last year, used the name of the movement to seek registration as a political party, causing a major rift within the movement.

Rising from a meeting of its executive and state working committee, the movement resolved that following the return of many members from the PDM party, the reconciliation of members within and outside the association should be given priority attention.

“That to realize the above, the meeting resolved to set up and did set up a five-member Rapid Response Committee under the chairmanship of Alhaji Shuaibu Y. Abdullahi with Dr Dorncklaimz Enamhe as secretary, saddled with the task of going round the country with the aim of bringing back all members of PDM to the association.

“That the PDM association is convinced that the antics of those who surreptitiously registered PDM as a political party should not be allowed to stand, considering genuine efforts that are being made to reform and bolster the credibility of the political system.

“That, consequently, the meeting resolved that both administrative and legal processes should be initiated for the determination of the registration of PDM as a political party with a view to ensuring the withdrawal of the registration certificate,” it stated in the communique.

National chairman of the PDM, Senator Abubakar Mahdi, who signed the communique said the impression being created in the media that the PDM, which was surreptitiously registered as a political party belongs to the loyalists and associates of the late General Yar’Adua, is mischievous and patently wrong.

They called on the leadership of the PDP to accord more recognition to the association as it continues to act as a binding force in the party.

Those at the meeting include former minister of state for foreign affairs, Dubem Onyiah, Dr. Farouk Abdulazeez, Murtala Yar’Adua, Alhaji Shuaibu Abdullahi, Dr. Bala Tafida and many others.