PDP NEC defers decision on zoning

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Thursday, failed to decide on the zoning of party offices in its meeting, pushing it to another session to be held at a later date.

The 93rd National Executive Committee (NEC) of the former ruling party at its national secretariat in Abuja only, however, ratified members of the zoning committee, which it said, would now recommend the positions to be allotted to the different zones for the consideration of the next meeting of the NEC.

The NEC has been widely expected to settle the issue of zoning to finally lay to rest the fate of the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, who is under a court order to step aside.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, while briefing correspondents on the resolutions of the meeting said that he did not know the exact date the NEC would meet again on the issue.

However, NEC has appointed Adamawa State governor, Ahmadu Fintiri as the chairman of the PDP national planning committee charged with organizing the October 13 planned exercise to elect new national leadership of the party.

NEC also approved Governor Ifeanyi Uguanyi as the chairman of its zoning committee to zone the National Working Committee (NWC) offices.

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, is to serve as the deputy chairman of the national convention organizing committee, while the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde, is to serve as secretary.

Similarly, the Governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom, was appointed as the deputy chairman of the zoning committee while the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Barr Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed is secretary of the committee.

The appointees were disclosed by Ologbondiyan who said: “NEC met today to further discuss critical issues concerning the party. NEC commends the efforts of the National Working Committee, the PDP Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees (BoT), the national assembly caucus and other stakeholders in resolving the challenges confronting the party.

“NEC approved the composition of the national convention planning committee as well as the zoning committee to zone national working committee offices. NEC approved Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the Governor of Adamawa State as Chairman, 2021 national convention organizing committee.

“Senator Douye Diri, the Governor of Bayelsa State is deputy chairman of the committee, while Engr Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State is to serve as secretary. NEC approved Rt Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Governor of Enugu state as chairman of zoning committee.

“Dr Samuel Ortom, the Governor of Benue State is deputy chairman and Barr. Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed is the secretary of the committee. NEC charged the committees to work hard to ensure the successful conduct of the national convention.

“NEC received the report of the Senator David Mark committee, which is intervening in certain issues relating to the leadership challenges in our party. The David Mark committee assured that efforts are on to resolve all court matters.

“NEC thanks Nigerians for the confidence they repose in the PDP and for the solidarity and support they have collectively shown our party at this trying time,” Ologbodiyan said.

Speaking at the opening session of the meeting former Vice President Atiku Abubakar affirmed that the former ruling party is the only platform that can go through the serious challenges it has witnessed recently and not break up.

He praised the party members for their steadfastness to democracy and the rule of law.

Following the inauguration PDP National Campaign Council for the Anambra State Governorship Election earlier during the meeting by the PDP acting National Chairman, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi, the PDP presidential candidate in the 2019 election said since 1998, he had not seen Anambra PDP united the way it was at the meeting.

He commended all organs of the party particularly the PDP Governors Forum for the leadership they have provided for the PDP during the recent crisis.

Akinwonmi said in his welcome address that the essence of Thursday’s NEC was to approve the convention planning committee and others that had been agreed upon for setting up during the last NEC meeting.

He admonished that the success of the October convention would bring success to the country at large.

The chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and Governor of Sokoto State reassured that governors under the party would work together to bring victory to the party in 2023.

(Tribune)