Wike group gives PDP conditions for convention, says north-central must produce chairman

The Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders, a group in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), has asked the party to restrict the contest for the national chairmanship position to the north-central. 

BACKGROUND

Last month, the national executive committee (NEC) of the PDP said the existing zoning arrangement for national working committee (NWC) positions — implemented in 2021 — would remain in place for the national convention in November.

The PDP had zoned its chairmanship to the north in 2021, with the slot further narrowed to the north-central.

Subsequently, Iyorchia Ayu from Benue (north-central) was elected as chairman, but his tenure was cut short after a court upheld his suspension, paving the way for Umar Damagum, who was the deputy national chairman (north) at the time, to step in as acting leader.

On July 24, the PDP NEC approved Ibadan, the capital of Oyo state, as the venue for the national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16.

On August 25, the PDP NEC confirmed Damagum, who hails from Yobe in the north-east, as substantive chairman of the party.

Wike had denied being invited to the NEC meeting where the members approved the venue and date for the convention. However, a letter had shown that he was invited.

DEMANDS

In a communiqué issued after its meeting on Monday night in Abuja, the Wike group outlined a set of conditions for supporting the planned national convention.

The group asked the PDP to conduct fresh congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra states and to recognise the south-south congress held in Calabar, Cross River state.

In addition, it demanded that the Ekiti state local government congresses be conducted immediately in compliance with subsisting judicial orders.

“In the spirit of unity and progress, and mindful of the party’s historical role as a custodian of Nigeria’s democratic aspirations, we considered it imperative and expedient to make the following observations and convey our demands to the party leadership and the National Working Committee (NWC) as we prepare for the National Convention,” the communiqué reads.

“That unity cannot be built on disenfranchisement, exclusion, or the neglect of valid judicial pronouncements. A credible National Convention must be anchored in transparency, fairness, respect for the rule of law, and inclusivity.

“We call 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. 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.

“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 said failure to comply with the resolutions and demands would render any national convention invalid, as legitimate members would be disenfranchised.

Among those who attended the meeting were Wike, Samuel Anyanwu, PDP national secretary; former governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu); Kingsley Chinda, minority leader of the house of representatives; Martins Ameawhule, suspended speaker of the Rivers house of assembly; among others.