Nass Power Game - Jonathan, PDP Back Mark

Abuja — Senate President David Mark and key officers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) returned from Obudu Cattle Ranch in Cross River State yesterday with assurance from President Goodluck Jonathan and national leaders of the PDP that the zoning status quo in the National Assembly would be retained.

Jonathan had invited the Senate president, members of the National Working Committee of the party and some members of the Board of Trustees for a crucial meeting over the unfolding power game at the National Assembly.


The meeting, according to an insider, was informed by the clash of interests of the party leaders across the six geopolitical zones. While the South-East governors and the party chieftains from the zone were said to have strongly canvassed having the office of the Senate president or the speaker of the House of Representatives, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other leaders of the South-West zone of the party insisted that the zoning status quo should be retained.

Also barring any last minute alteration in the existing status quo in the House, Muraina Ajibola (PDP Oyo) may replace Dimeji Bankole as the speaker.

However, one of the national officers of the PDP, who attended the meeting in Obudu, told LEADERSHIP last night that Jonathan and the NWC of the PDP have resolved that the status quo in the National Assembly offices be retained.