Chairmanship: PDP govs meet in Enugu to avert split

•No corruption case against me, says Secondus

Worried by the intense intrigues over the choice of a new National Chairman of the party, the governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will today meet in Enugu.

The emergency session is expected to address some issues raised by party leaders including fears of imposition of a candidate.

Also, the governors were said to be worried about how to manage the December National Convention in a manner that will not split the party.

Some former governors have already threatened to leave the party if the excesses of a few PDP governors were unchecked.

But one of the leading aspirants, Prince Uche Secondus yesterday said he has no corruption encumbrance which could impede his chances of emerging as the party’s national chairman.

A reliable source, who spoke with our correspondent last night said: “Ahead of the forthcoming national convention, the omen is bad, the intrigues are intense and some of our leaders have not been able to have a common ground on some offices, especially the office of the national chairman.

“A few leaders are even threatening fire and brim stones when we think we should have a united front and reconcile all. Some leaders of the party, including ex-governors, have joined issues with PDP governors.

“This is why PDP governors are meeting in Enugu tomorrow to take a second look at the intrigues and find solutions which will unite the party.

“The major challenges have to do with the choice of a new national chairman and the 2019 presidential race. There are many contending forces in the party we need to manage the situation to avoid another costly slip.

“Already, one of the governors said President Muhammadu Buhari deserves a second term in office. You can read the handwriting on the wall that we are on the edge as a party.”

Responding to a question, the source added: “The governors are out to tell themselves the home truths because the interest of the party is larger than individual ambitions.”

Meanwhile, Secondus yesterday made the clarification in a statement by his Campaign Office that he has no corruption came against him.

In the statement the Media Office said, “Secondus having noted the various insinuations and misleading stories about his ambition to lead the party has decided to issue the following clarifications:

“Secondus is in the race because he finds himself more suitable for the national chairmanship position than anybody in the race.

“He is in the race because the position is zoned to the South. He knows he has more experience for the task involved in national chairmanship position than anybody in the race.

“He is also without any encumbrance of corruption.

“With less than 18 months to general election, the party leadership cannot afford those who would learn on the job, the party needs someone who can hit the ground running and Secondus is perfectly the man.

“Majority of the PDP members across the country and in the Diaspora are anxious to regain power at the centre and they are aware of the enormous challenges ahead hence their desire to have a national chairman who would come and hit the ground running.

“If the majority of the delegates to the party’s National Convention across the six geopolitical zones are angling for Secondus, it must be seen from their genuine desires to have the party restored to its winning ways.

“Therefore, blackmail and character assassination of Secondus will collapse because they are standing on malice and vendetta.”