Jonathan meets PDP leaders as Southeast insists on PDP chair

President Goodluck Jonathan is consulting  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, governors and other stakeholders on  the choice  of party  national chairman.

The battle for the job is between the Northeast and the Southeast, with most party leaders having preference for the Northeast.

It was learnt that to pacify the Southeast, there is a proposal before the presidency to concede more ‘juicy’ ministerial portfolios and strategic agencies to the zone to pave the way for the emergence of a new chairman from the Northeast.
A presidency source said: “The President has started consultations with our leaders in the Board of Trustees, governors who are influential members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and members of the Expanded National Caucus.
“The next 72 hours will provide insight into the direction of the party. A series of meetings between the President and party leaders and organs will hold on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Abuja to conclude the talks.
“The emergence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal (Northwest) and deputy, Emeka Ihedioha (Southeast) is causing a lot of problems for the party because its zoning formula is now distorted.

“Some of our leaders are saying that since the VP, the Senate President and the Speaker are from the North, the National Chairman of the PDP cannot come from the North again.
“The Southeast is insisting on its right to occupy the post in the light of Article 14(5) of the PDP Constitution.
The Article reads: “Where a vacancy occurs in any of the offices of the party, the NEC shall appoint a substitute from the zone where the officer originated pending the conduct of election to fill the vacancy.
“Ordinarily, if the Southeast goes to court, it will win the case based on the interpretation of the PDP constitution. But the President has initiated dialogue to avoid recourse to litigation.
“The Southeast that is complaining has also usurped both the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives meant for the Northeast by the party’s zoning formula.

The source confirmed PDP leaders’ preference for the Northeast and the cards being laid on the table for the Southeast whose right is being abridged.

He added:  “The truth is that the presidency is tired of bitter politics among Igbo, which has led them to produce two national chairmen in three years. So, everyone wants a change of taste.

“The odds favour either a former Governor of Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur or and a former National Chairman of the defunct The Grassroots Democratic Movement, (GDM), Alhaji Gambo Lawan (Borno).
“To resolve the impasse over Southeast’s demand, a proposal is already before the presidency to concede strategic ministries to this geopolitical zone in lieu of the office of the national chairman of PDP.
A strong PDP leader, who confided in our correspondent, said: “We met in Enugu and resolved to pursue this demand to its logical conclusion.

“They are joking with whatever proposal is in the offing. Our position is that the Southeast must complete its four-year tenure which began in 2008.”

In line with zoning realignment in PDP, the office has been slated for the Northeast but the Southeast renewed interest at the weekend to retain the post.

Before the renewed interest of the Southeast,  eight leading aspirants had emerged from the Northeast.
They are from the Northeast are Nigeria’s Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Hassan Adamu, ex-Governor of the defunct Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammed Tukur; ex-Minister of Petroleum, Prof. Jibril Aminu (Adamawa); ex-Minister of Commerce, Ambassador Idris Waziri (Taraba); ex-Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Shettima Mustapha and  a former National Chairman of the defunct The Grassroots Democratic Movement, (GDM), Alhaji Gambo Lawan  (Borno); ex-Governor Adamu Mu’azu (Bauchi) and ex-Governor Danjuma Goje, who was recently elected a Senator from Gombe State.
But in a petition to the President and top leaders of the party, PDP Stakeholders Forum insisted that the slot should go to the Southeast, which has no single representation in the party’s National Working Committee at present.

Those recommended are: Chief Ojo Maduekwe; Hon. Mao Ohuanbuwa; Senator Ike Nwachukwu; Chief Olisa Metu; ex-Governor  Chinwoke Mbadinuju; Hon. Jerry Ugokwe; Ex-Governor Sam Egwu; Senator Emma Azu Agboti; Senator Sylvanus Ngele; Ex-Governor Jim Nwobodo; Enugu State PDP Chair, Chief Vita Abba; Ex-Minister Frank Nweke Jr.; Ex-Governor  Ikedi Ohakim; Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu; and Hon. Jeff Ojinika.

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