Sam Amadi Rejects PDP Campaign Council Nomination

• Writes Tambuwal, cites conflict of interest

A renowned researcher and director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thought, Dr. Sam Amadi has rejected his appointment as Director of Research for the Democratic Party's 2023 Presidential Election Campaign Council. people.

According to him, he was declining the offer due to a conflict of interest arising from various responsibilities in which he acts as a leader of different platforms where political neutrality and objectivity are required of him.

Amadi stated them in his letter dated October 10, 2022, addressed to the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council and the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, titled “Non-acceptance of nomination to the post of Director of Research for the Peoples Democratic Party PCC', secured by The PUNCH in Abuja on Tuesday.

The letter read in part: "First of all, thank you very much for the offer to be the Director of Research for the PDP Presidential Campaign Committee for the 2023 Presidential Election. I consider it a great honor to be considered fit for such a high office of a great presidential committee. I am also delighted that the committee is led by a man of your character and pedigree, someone with whom I have had the honor and the privilege of working in the past. I have no doubt that you will, as always, make a huge success with this opportunity.

"While I am honored to be appointed one of the directors to work with you, I humbly wish to decline this appointment and hereby refrain from participating in such a role. The decision to decline the offer arises from conflicts of interest arising from various responsibilities in which I act as a leader of different platforms where political neutrality and objectivity are required of me.

"These platforms are: Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts (ASSPT):

As Principal of the School, I have the responsibility to lead a group of intellectuals and scholars of diverse political and ideological persuasions with a commitment to rethinking the nature of the social, political and economic crises of the state in Africa, and to develop new ideas and policies to transform Nigeria and other African societies.

"The school is working on a detailed review of the economic plans of the leading candidates and their manifestos on how to strengthen electoral democracy in Nigeria. This clearly requires me to maintain a high degree of impartiality.

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"The Political and Strategic Committee of the Christian Association of Nigeria: As secretary of the committee, I have the responsibility to support other distinguished Christian leaders to guide the leaders of the Christian community to work with the leaders other faiths to shape a common agenda for justice, freedom, unity and prosperity of the Nigerian state.

"As part of this responsibility, I helped craft the Charter for a New Nigeria, a non-partisan, non-denominational Christian vision of justice, equity, freedom and prosperity for all the people and citizens of Nigeria. Committee members have different views and political interests, and my leadership must be non-partisan to be effective.

“Acceptance of this appointment will compromise the expected neutrality of my status and participation on the committee.

“Arise News: For the past few years, I have been an analyst at Arise News, which I consider to be one of the most strategic institutions for national development and healthy deliberative democracy through analytical reporting. -reputable media form also requires political impartiality, although I am free to express my opinions.I cherish these institutional roles immensely and believe they require that I maintain the non-partisan posture that has allowed me to provide information that has helped both institutions and key stakeholders to fulfill their mandates.

“While as a political pundit I am free to offer ideas and insights to a presidential campaign, I believe the level of objectivity with which I am identified in these strategic roles will be compromised if I must become director of a presidential campaign of the political party.

"I know that in developed democracies non-partisan are often co-opted into presidential campaigns to offer professional services without compromising their objectivity and intellectual neutrality. But Nigeria is not yet at that stage of our policy.

"In all these premises, once again, I humbly plead that I will not be able to accept the offer and the nomination.

"My rejection of the offer is in no way a vote of no confidence in the PDP's presidential campaign or a rejection of the virtues of the members of this great party and its presidential candidate."