Abuja (WorldStage Newsonline)-- Twenty-four hours after the Peoples Democratic Party issued guidelines for its congresses and national convention, the party said the exercises scheduled to commence on Saturday, have been postponed indefinitely.

The congresses and National Convention were to hold as follows: Ward 7th January, LGAs. 14th January, State, 21st January, Zonal 4th February and National Convention, 27th February.

The indefinitely suspension of the Congresses and National Convention of the party was contained in the statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Prof. Rufai Alkali

Alkali also called on Nigerians to embrace the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan led administration on fuel subsidy removal.

On the postponement of the PDP congresses, Alkali said, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) met on Thursday, 5th January, 2012 and reviewed developments in the Party and the nation. Specifically, the National Working Committee (NWC) reviewed preparations for the forthcoming congresses and the National Convention of the Party. To ensure a smooth and successful exercise, the state Chairmen of the Party were invited and briefed on the state of preparations, on Wednesday, 4th January, 2012.

“After thorough deliberations on reports arising from the meeting with the state Chairmen, the National Working Committee (NWC), conscious of its resolve to ensure credible and transparent congresses and National Convention, has decided to postpone the take- off of the exercise in order to give the State chapters enough time to mobilize our members nationwide. New dates will be announced in due course”.

On the planned national protest by the Nigerian Labour Congress and other civil society groups, Alkali also stated “Similarly, the National Working Committee (NWC) wishes to call on the Organized Labour, Civil Society organizations, Student Associations and Nigerians in general to exercise restraint in their utterances and actions over the recent government policy on the deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry.

“While it is conceded there is bound to be legitimate fears and concerns over every new government policy, we should all be mindful of some anti democratic forces who, for their own selfish reasons are trying desperately to take advantage of this situation to undermine the unity, peace and security of our nation.

“The fact of the matter is that, the deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry is a patriotic decision taken by government in the overall interest of all Nigerians. The initial accompanying pains will definitely be diminished by the long term benefits of the policy to each and every Nigerian.

“We therefore once again call on all Nigerians, especially the organized labour, Civil Organizations, Students Associations and other interest groups to embrace the dialogue option already offered by the Federal Government in order to resolve any issues arising from this laudable policy. We should do everything possible to support President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in his deep commitment and determination to transform Nigeria into one of the leading nations in the world.”

Story by Adesanya Alao (adesanyaa2001@yahoo.co.uk)