By Sarah NEGEDU
As the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gears up for its forthcoming National Convention in November, a group of eminent leaders of the party have tabled some conditions for which the resolutions of the convention will be accepted by all.
The group under the umbrella of Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP are insisting that the National Chairman of the party should remain in the North-Central in line with the zoning formula of the 2021 convention.
The group at a meeting to review the state of the party and assessed the critical issues leading to the forthcoming National Convention, warned that there should be no form of micro-zoning for peace and stability within the party.
The meeting late Monday night which was attended by some former governors, lawmakers and party chieftains including former governor of Benue Samuel Ortom, former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, PDP National Secretary, Sam Anyanwu, Senator Phillips Tanimu Aduda, among several others, maintained that a credible National Convention must be anchored on transparency, fairness, and respect for the rule of law as well as inclusivity.
Therefore, a communique issued at the end of the meeting presented the PDP with six major demands, threatening that failure to comply with any of their demands will render any purported national convention invalid, as legitimate members of the party would be disenfranchised.
The communique read by former governor Samuel Ortom, resolved that “That on zoning of party offices, whereas; we agree with the zoning committee’s recommendations, which was adopted by NEC that status quo remains, 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 group also called 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.
Other resolutions and demands made includes, “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 observed that the PDP was at a defining crossroads where its ability to reconcile internal disputes, uphold fairness, and respect constitutional processes will determine its future relevance.
They therefore concluded that, “It is pertinent to caution that failure to comply with the above resolutions and demands shall render any purported national convention invalid, as legitimate members of the party would be disenfranchised.
“The PDP was built on the foundation of inclusivity, fairness, and justice. Therefore, to reclaim its pride of place as the leading opposition and the true alternative for Nigerians, the party must now rise above narrow interests and embrace collective responsibility.
“We, the Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders, remain steadfast in our loyalty to the party and resolute in our determination to work with all organs and leaders of the PDP to ensure that the forthcoming National Convention becomes a watershed moment — a moment where unity triumphs over division, and justice prevails over impunity.”
In attendance at the meeting were the former governor of Benue Samuel Ortom, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, former governor of Enugu, Ifanyi Ugwayi, former governor of Abia, Okieze, former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, PDP National Secretary, Sam Anyanwu, and some serving and former members of the National Assembly.
Also, at the meeting were the speaker, River State House of Assembly, Senator Phillips Tanimu Aduda, Honorable Micah Jiba, and some BoT members of the PDP.
