By PETER OKUTU
ABAKALIKI—CONTRARY to speculations in some quarters that positions in the forthcoming Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, congresses had been zoned within the party’s structure, Chairman of the Party, Chief Ama-Oti Ugorji, yesterday debunked such claims, saying no position had been zoned to a particular section in Ebonyi State.

He emphasized that all positions were opened for contest; assuring that modalities had been put in place to ensure a hitch free congress devoid of violence and segregation.

The chairman,  while briefing newsmen on the party’s preparedness for the congresses, explained that the Ward congress would begin on  January 7, 2012;  local government area, December 14;  State, December 21, and zone, January 28.

According to him, the State Executive Committee, SEC, of the party will meet to fine-tune arrangement before the commencement of the various congresses in the state.

He added that stakeholders were free to express their opinions as to how they would like the congresses in their area to be implemented.

He, however, stressed that all those on suspension would not participate in the party’s forthcoming congresses until matters affecting them were reviewed and subsequent decision taken by the party.

He said: “The congress will be free and fair and opened to all party members to participate. Those under suspension will not participate in the congresses.

“If you are suspended from party you will not be allowed to participate but if you were suspended from office, you can participate. Our policy has not changed.

“There is no stakeholder who left the party that has been called back until such case is reviewed.

However before the congresses’ start, the State Executive Committee, SEC, will have to meet to decide on a number of issues.

“I can’t predict what will happen. Nothing has been zoned for now.  There shall be a National Executive Council, NEC, meeting so as to give room for sales of form and other things.

“The stakeholders at various levels can decide accordingly to either return an executive or otherwise. If at the LGA, the stakeholders decide to return their executives, there is no problem about that.

“The party has not been business as usual. Let me make it clear that whether there is harmonization, congresses will still hold.

I want you journalists to come around during the congresses so that you take note of all the developments as they unfold.”