PDP NEC gets zoning report today amid convention crisis
The Peoples Democratic Party will today (Monday) receive the report of its zoning committee at the 102nd National Executive Committee meeting, amid deepening tensions over the party’s planned national convention.
The zoning committee, chaired by Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, with Zamfara Governor, Dauda Lawal, as vice chairman and Plateau Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, as secretary, was constituted in July to share the 19 National Working Committee offices between the North and South.
Multiple party sources confirmed to The PUNCH that the committee had recommended the retention of the existing zoning formula, under which the North and South will continue to hold their current positions.
The NEC is expected to ratify the report at its 2pm session today.
The tenure of the acting NWC led by Ambassador Umar Damagum will lapse in December.
To forestall further cracks, the party’s 101st NEC had in July approved November 15–16 as the date for the National Elective Convention, to be held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, will chair the National Convention Committee, with Osun Governor, Ademola Adeleke, as vice chairman and Enugu Governor, Peter Mbah, as secretary.
However, the zoning and convention arrangements have not been without controversy. Former Rivers Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has warned that ignoring the outcome of the South-South Congress in Calabar could trigger fresh crises.
Before you talk about the convention, resolve the matter. If the matter is not resolved, there will be a crisis,” Wike said in a television interview on August 4.
Some southern leaders loyal to Wike, led by House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, also rejected the Lagos micro-zoning meeting.
Despite the discord, PDP youth leaders from the 36 states and the FCT on Sunday declared total support for the NEC’s decisions on zoning and the Ibadan convention.
