Second Republic Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme

Christopher Isiguzo

Second Republic Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Wednesday declared that the current jostle for the chairmanship of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was totally misplaced, insisting that only members of the board would choose the next chairman.

Ekwueme spoke to newsmen in Enugu shortly after an award ceremony organised by the Igbo Youth Movement (IYM) as part of the group’s activities to mark its 13th annual convention.

The late First Republic President, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Akanu Ibiam and Chief M.I Okpara led the array of personalities who received posthumous award, while Dr. Ekwueme topped the list of those who personally received award from the IYM.
The former vice president who refused to either admit or deny his interest in the race said: “the BoT would meet and elect the chairman in line with the party’s constitution. Its not something to canvass for because we have our rules to follow.

“It’s the responsibility of members, when the time comes, anybody they choose will take the position. It’s not a position one needs to campaign for, members will choose their preferred candidate for the position. I’ve held the position before from 1998 to 2003 and I didn’t canvass for it. Is a question of what the members want and as provided for in the constitution,” he noted.

On the security situation in the country, Ekwueme advised Nigerians to be careful with the words they use in describing the situation, stating that security issues are not discussed in the public. He however expressed hope that the security operatives would soon checkmate the situation.