PDP southern leaders kick against ‘secret’ zoning meeting in Lagos

Some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the south-east and south-south have rejected a “secret” zoning meeting set to hold in Lagos on Thursday.

Last week, the PDP national working committee (NWC) inaugurated a 44-member zoning committee ahead of the elective national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16.

The committee is expected to allocate the various NWC positions to the geopolitical zones, which the NEC will review and approve.

In a statement, some PDP state chairmen, national assembly members and other leaders in the zone alleged that the secret meeting themed, ‘PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit’, is convened by Tombra Jumbo, the committee’s administrative secretary, at the behest of Duoye Diri, governor of Bayelsa and chair of the panel.

The PDP leaders said any decision “reached in secrecy”, would be rejected. 

“Even more troubling is the inexplicable exclusion of several national officers, eminent leaders, and critical stakeholders of the PDP,” the PDP leaders said. 

“Shockingly, the minority leader in the national assembly and other principal officers of our party from the south-south and south-east were also deliberately sidelined and denied participation in a meeting where such far-reaching and sensitive decisions on zoning, power rotation, and political equity are to be discussed.

“Equally concerning is the deliberate omission of most former governors from the South East and south-south, who, by every standard of history, pedigree, and institutional memory, remain critical stakeholders in any conversation about the future direction of our party.

“Such a brazen disregard for established structures and statutory organs of the PDP not only offends the spirit of collective decision-making but also risks undermining the very foundation upon which our party was built.

“The PDP, since its inception, has been anchored on the values of inclusivity, equity, consultation, and collective responsibility.

“Any process that deliberately sidelines key stakeholders, ignores the legitimate authority of national officers, and excludes elected leaders and ranking lawmakers erodes trust, fuels division, and threatens party cohesion at a time when unity is most needed.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we categorically dismiss any resolutions, communiqués, or outcomes purportedly emanating from this meeting as neither binding on, nor reflective of, the collective will and aspirations of the PDP family across Southern Nigeria.

“More particularly, the summit is premature and targeted at protecting the interests and selfish ambition of a select few, as the zoning committee set up by the 101 NEC has yet to present its report for ratification by the party.

“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the unity, stability, and electoral fortunes of the PDP and call upon all well-meaning leaders and stakeholders to resist any attempt to manipulate zoning arrangements through exclusionary tactics or clandestine manoeuvres.

“The south-east and south-south zones, alongside our counterparts in the south-west, remain united in the pursuit of fairness, justice, and equity — the very ideals that have sustained our party’s relevance and credibility over the years.

“As custodians of the mandate entrusted to us by our members, we remain resolute in defending the integrity of the PDP and ensuring that any decisions affecting southern Nigeria within the PDP are reached through proper consultation, transparency, and inclusiveness, in line with the established democratic ethos of our party.”

The PDP leaders asked the NWC, national executive committee (NEC), and all party stakeholders to disregard “any outcome of the said meeting, which is not only illegal but divisive”.

They vowed to take all necessary steps to resist the outcome of the meeting.

Some of the signatories to the statement include Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah, Venatius Ikem, Aniekan Akpan, and Aaron Chukwuemeka, who chair the PDP in Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers states, respectively.