PDP zoning: Ugwuanyi panel under pressure

There is pressure on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) panel on zoning which concludes its assignment on Thursday.

Leaders of the party in the North who presented a proposal for the chairman’s position to be zoned to the South had a split in rank at their meeting on Tuesday, it was learnt.

The Middle Belt leaders at the meeting of the leaders convened by a former minister and ambassador Adamu Maina Waziri, said the chairmanship position should be zoned to the North to enable the party zone its presidential ticket to the South.

The Ugwuanyi panel, whose meeting in Enugu last week was inconclusive today hold its final session to finalise its report which will be submitted to the National Executive Committee.

It was learnt that the panel members came under pressure into a group led by former President of the Senate Anyim Pius Anyim lobbying for the chairmanship to be zoned to the North.

A source at the session by North’s leaders in Abuja said: “The atmosphere became tense when Middle Belt leaders rejected the retention of the 2017 power formula.

“They insisted that the PDP must stick to its unwritten clause on rotation of presidency between the North and the South.

They canvassed that the North should produce the National Chairman to prepare for power shift to the South.

“They said power shift to the South in 2023 will ensure equity, fairness and justice for all zones.

“They also faulted a proposal for consensus on the new chairman for PDP at the National Convention. They said the best candidate should be elected.”

A former Minister at the meeting said: “Most of us from the core North based our decision on the indices that only the retention of power in the North can save PDP.

“So, we recommended to PDP to choose its national chairman from the South.

“We could not reconcile our differences. It is left to Ugwuanyi’s committee to address the zoning issues in the party.”

It was learnt that the Zoning Committee will meet in Abuja today to conclude its assignment.

“After arriving at a formula, the battle will shift to the National Executive Committee for ratification.” A former governor added.

The ex-governor said all leaders of PDP are eager on the outcome of Ugwuanyi panel. (The Nation)