Isaac Samuel
Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have drawn a battle line with loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, ahead of the party’s national elective convention.
The convention, scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, has become a flashpoint of confrontation between the two camps, with Wike’s group insisting that the exercise would be invalid unless their conditions are met.
Members of the Peoples Democratic Party loyal to Wike, under the banner of the Eminent leaders and Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP, had met with the minister in closed-door meeting on Monday in Abuja.
The meeting which had in attendance the National Secretary of the party, Sam Anyanwu, and other leaders met to discuss issues affecting the party.
Following the nearly three-hour meeting, a communiqué was issued, read by former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, who noted the members’ “collective commitment to the principles of equity, justice, inclusivity, and the rule of law”, describing them as “values upon which the PDP was founded and upon which its survival depends.”
They warned that the party’s forthcoming national convention in November would be “invalid” if their resolutions are not implemented.
Among the demands, the stakeholders stated that while they were satisfied with the party’s zoning arrangements, adopted by the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee must ensure that there is no form of micro-zoning “for peace and stability within the party.”
They added that the national party chairman position should remain in the North Central in line with the zoning formula of the 2021 convention.
“That on zoning of party offices, whereas we agree with the zoning committee’s recommendations, which were adopted by NEC, that the status quo remain, we further and very strongly hold that there should be no form of micro-zoning for peace and stability within the party.
“Consequently, the National Chairman of the party should remain in the North-Central in line with the zoning formula of the 2021 convention,” the communique read.
The stakeholders also called for fresh congresses to be held in Ebonyi and Anambra States and in the South-East zone, conducted by the National Working Committee, in line with court judgments, adding that the outcome of the South-South Congress held in Calabar, Cross River State, should also be upheld, while the Ekiti State local government congress should be conducted immediately.
“We call on the National Working Committee to urgently conduct fresh, transparent, and inclusive congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra States, in line with judgments of the courts”.
That a fresh and legitimate South-East Zonal Congress should be conducted. That the outcome of the valid and legitimate South-South Congress held in Calabar, Cross River State, and recognised by the court, be respected.
“That the Ekiti State Local Government Areas Congress should be conducted immediately, in obedience to the subsisting court judgement,” they added.
The group warned that failure to comply with the demands and their resolutions “shall render any purported national convention invalid, as legitimate members of the party would be disenfranchised.”
They maintained that leadership positions within the PDP must remain “open, inclusive, and competitive, while ensuring regional equity in accordance with the PDP’s long-standing traditions
But responding during the inauguration of the National Convention Planning Committee on Tuesday, Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed declared that the PDP will not yield to arrogance, impunity, or divisive tendencies.
Speaking on behalf of the governors, Mohammed said that they are not cowards and are prepared to confront anyone who attempts to obstruct the party’s progress.
Mohammed insisted that the governors would not be distracted, stressing that the convention would proceed as planned.
Bauchi Governor stated, “We are not cowards, and we are not afraid of anybody.
“We are capable of navigating this party beyond the shenanigans, beyond the arrogance, and beyond the impunity of others. We cannot continue to take part and allow people to take us to the slaughterhouse. That’s our job.
“And our job is to make sure we don’t go to the slaughterhouse. And we are working as governors and working with the committee to ensure that. The keyword is discipline.
“We will no longer allow or tolerate anybody to take us for granted. It has to stop. Enough is enough. We are not going to tolerate it any longer”, he said.
