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  • Beyond the PDP convention

    Beyond the PDP convention

    IN their euphoric response to the defection of former vice president Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gave the impression of a political organisation thinking beyond its immediate troubles and eager to embrace the future. But whether it is wise to leapfrog over its troubled past without grappling with the attendant repercussions of its failings is a different kettle of fish. What is clear is that the party wishes to forget that arduous, ignoble past, a past filled with huge uncertainties, unanticipated defeats, and a gross inability to come to terms with the signals emanating from the pains and punishment it received at the hands of an angry and disenchanted electorate in 2015.

    PDP leaders, many of them undoubtedly men of culture, integrity and quiet dignity, have spoken out in unison about the ambition of the party to reclaim a presidency it lost more than two years ago. They have expended inordinate energy on intriguing for that goal. If they entertain lofty wishes in today’s convention in Abuja, it is only to the extent that it would realign them orbitally to take that coveted prize a second time. But they have, alas, seldom spoken of the far greater need to reorganise their party, refine its ideology, as this column has consistently maintained, restructure its administrative and membership platforms, and expand its base along the enviable lines of great parties in other parts of the world.

    Somehow, they seem to imagine that once they are able to conduct a unifying convention and elect, in an atmosphere of peace, new party executives without the despairing rancour many detractors have read into their DNA, they would be on their way to a gilded existence. Why they fail to realize they have been chasing a chimera since losing the polls in 2015 is hard to say. The build-up to their chairmanship election, in particular, may be acrimonious and full of uncertainties, with shifting alliances and permutations mixing with crazy projections of future presidential bids, it is however almost certain that they will pull off the party executive elections with the characteristic aplomb and familial frills they are famed for. Former president Goodluck Jonathan may be on one side, and ex-head of state Ibrahim Babangida may be on another, regradless of which side the governors’ cats are jumping, in the end the party will likely yield to common sense and even exceed its projections of attracting defectors from the languid and now complaisant ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    But a peaceful and rewarding convention, contrary to what party leaders think, will not guarantee a relentless march towards victory in 2019. Despite the misgivings of some party leaders, the PDP as a whole has probably invested heavily in the defection of Alhaji Abubakar. The former vice president is not only a man of stature, in the PDP today, he is probably the most renowned, battle-hardened politician eager and willing to join battle with the fearsome APC machine. The party will obviously profit from his renewed membership. Even though he cannot vote at this convention, he is expected to address it today, and will rouse the faithful to think they can neutralize President Muhammadu Buhari’s populism. They will return home thinking, if not even assured, of how soon they would return to Aso Villa. Whatever differences remain after the convention would be regarded as nothing more than cracks which party leaders have the expertise to paper over.

    However, it is unlikely Alhaji Abubakar is that one size fits all which some party leaders imagine him to be. He may be the most recognisable face in the PDP today, and will ensure the party is not starting as an unknown entity, but he is not the only one interested in the presidency, let alone the only rich and ambitious person in that party. Among many ambitious others, even the caretaker chairman of the party, Ahmed Makarfi, also hankers after the coveted prize. Having tasted both executive and legislative powers as a former Kaduna State governor and senator, Senator Makarfi sees his political future as a natural and ineluctable progression to the presidency. He will give battle to Alhaji Abubakar and even probably view his defection as nothing more valuable than the financial heft he is capable of lending the party when the battle with the ruling party is finally joined.

    Party leaders last week suggested they would begin to rebuild their party once the elective convention was over. It is not clear whether they have a definite idea how to rebuild their troubled party. Nigerians will, however, wish them well. If they must rebuild, they must go beyond waiting for more defections, especially from the APC, a party they mischievously expect to implode in the coming months. Their calculations must, indeed, go beyond the expected implosion of the ruling party, in case that hideous scenario does not happen as predicted. As a matter of fact, their calculations must go beyond whatever political or financial muscle the likes of Alhaji Abubakar will bring to their party. Defectors migrating to the PDP will undoubtedly be of some help to the frazzled opposition party, especially if the defectors come from the APC and thus help to weaken the ruling party, but it is unlikely defections of any kind will play any significant and novel role like they did in the months before the 2015 polls.

    A peaceful and unifying convention is the right place to begin rebuilding the PDP, especially if they can manage to use one stone to kill two birds by electing a strong and vigorous chairman and executive. But they will need to do so much more than emplace a productive and active party executive and attract big political names and defectors like Alhaji Abubakar. As some of their leaders have promised, they must find the intellect to do something about the ideology of their party, cobble together a representative platform that must form a rich kaleidoscope of what PDP standard-bearers stand for, and enrich the content of their politics beyond the desire to win or lose elections. So far, however, their reluctance to make penance for the misuse they put the country’s resources during their 16 years in office does not give hope that they would do right by country if they found their way back into office.

    It has taken almost three years for the PDP to reconcile itself to the terrible loss it suffered in the last presidential election. By ignoring the factors that led to that loss, and refusing to even acknowledge the complicity of their leading lights in that debacle, there is nothing to indicate that another loss in 2019 would not altogether and irretrievably fracture the party to smithereens. If in 16 years they could not build the steely core needed to stabilise their party and imbue it with the spirit and direction required to make it a grand party, nor yet find the existential drive to forge ahead into a visionary future, whether continental or global, what is the proof that about three years of disappointment would encourage the party into re-examining its foundations and rebuilding from scratch?

    By all means, let the party bask in the euphoria of Alhaji Abubakar’s defection, and let them celebrate him, even if they end up denying him the ticket. In fact, let them ask for and welcome more defectors and empower them to make meaningful and productive contributions in the coming polls. But let them also realize that the country’s political dynamics call for a much deeper and more vigorous restructuring of their party than they recognise or are willing to embrace if 2019 is not to turn into a political tragedy more dispiriting than the losses they have suffered to date.

  • PDP in make or mar convention

    PDP in make or mar convention

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is expected to elect a new national chairman and other officers at its national convention in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), tomorrow. But, the signal emanating from the various power blocs and caucuses have heightened anxiety as they fight for the soul of the party. Assistant Editor GBADE OGUNWALE reports.

    After coming out of a major leadership crisis that plagued the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for 14 months, the main opposition party is heading for a make or mar national convention. The party appears to be at the crossroads as key stakeholders have continued to bicker over who becomes the national chairman. Of all the positions available for grabs, that of the national chairman has become a fierce battle between the Southwest and Southsouth geo-political zones. There are six aspirants from the Southwest, while the Southsouth has two. The aspirants from the Southwest are a former Education Minister, Prof Tunde Adeniran; former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George; former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel; former governor of Oyo State, Alhaji Rashidi Ladoja; one-time Sports and Special Duties Minister, Prof Taoheed Adedoja; and former Lagos governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje.

    The two contestants from the South south are a former Acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, and media mogul Chief Raymond Dokpesi. The Southwest has continued to justify its quest for the job with the argument that the zone has yet to occupy the position since the formation of the PDP in 1998. In sympathy with the Southwest, a number of interest groups and stakeholders, particularly from the North, have also called for the position to be micro zoned to the region to enable the zone produce the chair. But, gladiators in the Southsouth have said that, being the major financier of the party since the PDP lost political power in 2015, the zone should naturally produce the chairman. After weeks of push, the contest has narrowed down to a two-horse race between Adeniran and Secondus. Adeniran, 72, is being backed by a coalition of forces comprising mainly of party leaders and elders spread across the three zones in the North. A former Information Minister, Prof Jerry Gana is leading the support outreach for Adeniran.  On the other hand, Secondus is being propelled by a heavy war chest, apparently deployed for the epic battle by Governor Nyesom Wike of his native Rivers State. But, efforts are still being made by many prominent party leaders and senior citizens, including former military President Ibrahim Babangida, to find a common ground before the convention date. The Gana group, under the aegis of PDP Northern Leaders and Elders Forum, is still sweating it out for Adeniran. Rising from an all-night stakeholders meeting last week, the group announced the decision of the Northern stakeholders to have the chairmanship micro zoned to the Southwest. In a communique after the meeting and jointly signed by a former Kano State governor and one time Education Minister, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and Mrs. Margaret Icheen, the group called on delegates from the North to vote for only chairmanship aspirants from the Southwest. The communique, dated December 1, 2017 stated among others: “After extensive deliberations, it was resolved that, in the spirit of fairness, equity, carrying every part of the country along, giving every geo-political zone a sense of participation and inclusion in the affairs of the PDP, we strongly support the quest of the Southwest geo-political zone to produce the next National Chairman of the party.

    “In line with our resolve to rebuild and reposition the PDP, we urge delegates from all the Northern states to abide by this decision and vote for only aspirants from the Southwest geo-political zone in the forthcoming national convention, in the best interest of the party. This is without prejudice to the right of aspirants from other geo-political zones to contest.”

    But, in a swift reaction, members of another sub-group that attended the meeting, countered the position of the Northern leaders. Led by Mallam Sani Kutigi, the younger elements denounced Gana and his fellow elders, insisting that the position remained open to contestants from the three zones in the South. At a media briefing same day, Kutigi described the declaration by the Gana and others as an “obnoxious and objectionable” plot to rail-road the region into illegality. Kutigi said, “This group of people lacks any authority or voice to speak on behalf of the North as a homogeneous entity and is therefore on its own. Their action is hereby rejected and totally condemned. Majority of members from the North dissociate themselves from this misadventure which potents unintended consequences if left unchallenged. It is a slap on the face and an insult on the face of Southern Nigerian politicians/leaders that a few members from the North can sit down and determine who to elect.

    While rejecting micro-zoning, we affirm our belief in the sanctity of the larger, more inclusive arrangement which gave Southern Nigeria the position of National Chairman of our great party. Party members from the North pledge to support only a free and fair process where a new National Chairman will emerge regardless of which place he comes from so long as he is from any of the states that make up Southern Nigeria. Power brokers in the two zones have continued to push arguments why they should take the slot. One of the chairmanship aspirants, Bode George, said it would be extremely difficult for leaders of the party in the Southwest to continue to mobilise support for the PDP in the zone, if the Southwest does not produce the party chair. George, while speaking with reporters at the PDP Abuja secretariat last week, said: “If they take the chairmanship away from us, how do they expect us to continue persuading our members and supporters to vote for the PDP in 2019? The position of chairman has been micro zoned in the past.” He recalled that at inception, the position was micro zoned to the North central zone, starting with the pioneer chairman, the late Chief Solomon Lar from Plateau State. He was succeeded by Chief Barnabas Gemade from Benue, also in the North central. Followed by Chief Audu Ogbe, also from Benue State. Ogbeh was forced out as a result of disagreement with former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005 and was replaced by Dr. Ahmadu Ali from Kogi State, also in the North central. The chair then moved to the Southeast in 2008 with the emergence of Prince Vincent Ogbulafor (Abia) who was succeeded by Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo from Enugu State, also in the Southeast. Two Acting Chairmen occupied the position in the interim, following the unceremonious removal of Nwodo at the convention ground in 2011. They are Dr. Mohammed Bello Haliru (Kebbi State) and Alhaji Kawu Baraje (Kwara State). Afterwards, the position moved to the Northeast in 2012 with Alhaji Bamanga Tukur (Adamawa State) as chairman. Tukur was removed in 2014 and replaced by former Bauchi State Governor Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, also from the Northeast. Mu’azu was forced to resign in May 2015 as a result of fallouts of the loss of political power by the PDP in the 2015 election. Secondus, who was the Deputy National Chairman, was asked to step in as Acting Chairman while the party struggled to shake off its post-election defeat trauma. Going by the party’s constitution, Secondus was to act as chairman for six months to enable the party pick a substantive chairman from the Northeast to complete Mu’azu’s truncated tenure. However, owing to hopelessness occasioned by the party’s electoral misfortune, the PDP became almost rudderless and Secondus continued to occupy the position for over nine months. It took the intervention of a former presidential adviser, Dr. Ahmed Gulak, for the PDP to wake up from its sleepless slumber. Gulak had in February 2016, stormed the party secretariat with a number of supporters. He declared himself the new party chairman. Gulak, who is from Adamawa State in the Northeast, had argued that he decided to take the seat to complete the tenure for the Northeast zone. The crisis was however resolved when the governors, against wise counsel, picked  controversial former Borno State Governor Ali Modu Sheriff in 2016 to serve out the term for the Northeast. Attempts to elect a substantive chairman under Sheriff led to a 14 month leadership crisis that almost wiped the PDP out of existence. Having seen through Sheriff’s inordinate ambition to grab the party’s 2019 presidential ticket by default, the governors succeeded in removing the ex-Borno governor at a botched May 23, 2016 convention in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. A caretaker committee, headed by former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi was set to run the affairs of the party, pending the election of a new substantive chairman. But, Sheriff remained adamant and continued to lay claim to the chairmanship. He had fought through the courts to remain in office for 14 months, trampling on every rule and guideline in the party’s constitution. In his characteristic brute force, Sheriff had fought Makarfi and his team to a standstill, leaving the party in utter disarray. It took the intervention of the Supreme Court to free the party from Sheriff’s grip with a landmark judgment delivered on July 12, 2017.

    With Sheriff out of the way, the PDP was able to get its bearings under Makarfi whose tenure will expire with the December 9 convention. But the convention is being threatened by the ambitions and vested interests of a few gladiators gunning for the control of the party structure at the national level. The 19 states in the North succeeded in micro zoning the elective positions allotted to them without much rancour. Similarly, the 17 states in the South were able to micro zone some of the positions given to them, except the chairman. Pressure was mounted on the Makarfi–led Caretaker Committee to micro zone the chairmanship position to the Southwest, but Makarfi said his committee lacked the power to do so. Thus the party appears set for another leadership crisis that the convention may throw up if the matter is not resolved before the convention date. Governor Wike who is Secondus’ main backer has continued to insist that the chair must go to the Southsouth. Addressing party leaders and supporters from the zone in Port Harcourt on Monday, the governor maintained that his zone has been the major financier of the PDP. Wike was reported to have bankrolled the legal expenses the party incurred in the battle to take the PDP from Sheriff. But stakeholders argue that making Secondus party chair would amount to handing the PDP over to Wike. Incidentally, most party leaders, particularly the older generation, appear not to be comfortable with Wike’s sense of judgment. The governor’s brash and impetuous approach to decision making has become a major concern to many of them. Tagged along with Wike is the equally abrasive and rumbustious Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose who is also insisting on Secondus.

     

  • PDP alleges APC plot to disrupt convention

    PDP alleges APC plot to disrupt convention

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday accused some government officials who are members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to disrupt the party’s national convention in Abuja on Saturday.

    Also yesterday, Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman Walid Jibrin said the party was waiting for Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and governors who left the PDP for the APC in 2014.

    Citing “intelligence report”, the party called on President Muhammadu Buhari to rein in those it described as overzealous officials around him who are bent on sabotaging the convention.

    National Publicity Secretary Dayo Adeyeye told reporters yesterday that if not checked, the plot could derail the convention.

    Adeyeye pleaded with President Buhari to ensure adequate security cover for the event, saying no attempts were made to disrupt public events organised of opposition parties during the 16 years reign of the PDP.

    The party urged members of the public and party supporters without any business with the convention to stay away from the venue.

    Adeyeye said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will attend the event and even address the convention but may not vote as a delegate.

    Atiku rejoined the PDP last week after resigning from the All Progressives Congress.

    Jibrin said: “As the party joyfully welcomes Atiku back to his home, PDP, we are equally waiting to receive more members of the APC, including Sen. Kwankwaso, Senators, Members of the House of  Representatives, President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, APC Governors who had earlier left PDP, thereafter all of us would unite to take power from APC come 2019”.

    The BoT chair called on aspirants for the position of party chairman to forget the clamour for micro zoning of the position, saying it’s too late to do so now.

    The Board chair assured that the BoT would be ready to work with any of the contestants that emerged as national chairman for the progress of the party, stressing that the BoT has no favoured candidate among the aspirants.

  • Dickson warns against manipulating PDP convention

    Dickson warns against manipulating PDP convention

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson at the weekend warned leaders and other members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against manipulating the outcome of the party’s national convention.

    The governor expressed concern that some party members were still stuck in the old way of doing things in the PDP, which he said would only jeopardise the chances of the party producing a credible presidential candidate in 2019.

    He insisted that Saturday’s convention must be credible, transparent and devoid of manipulation to help the PDP reclaim power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.

    Dickson said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, that the leadership of the PDP had a responsibility to come up with a candidate from the northern part of the country to actualize the project to recapture power from the APC.

    The governor advised that the leadership of the PDP should not focus excessive attention on the national convention.

    Dickson, a former Chairman of the party’s National Reconciliation Committee, said it was important that the convention was viewed as a means to an end.

    The statement quoted  Dickson as speaking while playing host to the Chairman of DAAR Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, a contestant for the position of the party’s national chairman, at the Government House, Yenagoa.

  • Convention: George cautions PDP   

    Convention: George cautions PDP   

    A chairmanship aspirant Chief Olabode George has cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against any act that can cause further crisis during the December 9 convention.

    George gave the caution at a news conference in Abuja, after submitting his nomination form for the race.

    He said the party could no longer afford further crisis, stressing the need to respect its constitution.

    “We have to be extremely careful in managing the Dec. 9 convention; we can no longer afford another crisis.

    “Impunity and lack of respect for party constitution must not be allowed’’, he cautioned.

    He said the party could not afford to entrust its leadership in the hands of novices or someone that had not been part of its management team.

    The aspirant likened the party to a ship at sea hit with bad weather saying it needed a competent and experienced captain to safely sail it ashore.

    The party chieftain said if PDP sank, it could spell doom for the country’s democracy.

    George said he was fit, experienced and was presenting himself for the service of the party and the country.

    National Organising Secretary of the party Senator Abdul Ningi poured encomium on George.

    He observed that Chief George had paid his dues as a founding father of the PDP, as a consistent party loyalist and as a moral and financial supporter of the party.

    He said “if it is not for the necessary subjection to the dictates of democracy, who else could stand on equal footing with Chief George in terms of experience, knowledge and maturity”

    Ningi observed that at a time when the party was torn asunder while other leaders were straddling the fence, watching who the Supreme Court Judgement would favor, Chief George never wavered, resolved boldly on the path of honor.

    He assured that the party national convention will be conducted without partiality or any tinge of favoritism. He said all aspirants will be given a free and fair leveling playing field to ensure that justice prevails.

    George responded that the party needs a stabilizing and tested hand who does not need to be teleguided or dictated to. He said the party is now confronted with its greatest challenge of redeeming itself since it lost power two years ago. Chief promised to serve just one term if elected.

  • Lagos to host 2018 writers’ convention

    Lagos State is set to host one of the biggest writers’ conferences in the country next year under the auspices of Association of Nigerian Writers Association (ANA).

    According to a delegation from ANA Lagos, which visited The Nation’s Head Office yesterday, the state will host the writers and stakeholders of the book/publishing industry at its 37th international annual convention billed for November next year.

    The delegation, led by its Chairman, Yemi Adebiyi, said the visit was part of the sensitisation/media tour to intimate the public and the state government on the programme.

    The convention, he said, will have a huge economic opportunity for the people and the state government.

    Adebiyi called for support from the government and corporate bodies, including the media, to make the event a success.

    He said: “Lagos is ready to host the world at the ANA 37th international annual convention, which will hold next year. And we are excited because of the economic potential that the event holds for Lagosians and the government. Writers from across the country will be coming to Lagos. Imagine the revenue that would generate for the state, if the potential of this glorious event is richly galvanised.

    “For this to open, all hands must be on deck. We are open to partnership and ideas; and are calling on the government and corporate organisation for support and sponsorship.”

    Observing that the book industry is a major contributor to the country’s intellectual growth, ANA Lagos Public Relations Officer (PRO 2) Mr. Feyi Abiodun stated that more needs to be done to create an enabling environment for writers and other key players in the industry.

    “We commend the efforts of the present administration, led by our ever progressive Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, towards the promotion of the arts in the state. He has shown himself as a lover of the arts. However, we are asking that he extends his art campaign/ support to the writers and book/publishing industry. The convention presents another opportunity for government to revisit the promotion of the book/publishing industry, writers, as well as the reading culture in the state.

    Other members of the ANA delegation included the Vice Chairman, Babatunde Ayo-Vaughan; Secretary, Brenda Nwafor PRO (1) and Margaret Irabor.

  • Confusion in PDP over convention

    Confusion in PDP over convention

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) risks an explosion as gladiators prepare for the national chairmanship election next month in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The position has been zoned to the South. There is no aspirant from the Southeast. But, aspirants from the Southwest and the Southsouth are quarrelling over zoning and micro-zoning. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU reports.

    The struggle for ‘party power’ is tearing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) apart. Ahead of next month’s national convention in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the chairmanship aspirants have polarised the platform. The bone of contention is zoning and micro-zoning of the top position.

    The aspirants are former Deputy National Chairman Chief Olabode George, former Education Minister Prof. Tunde Adeniran, former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, his Oyo State counterpart, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, former Lagos State PDP governorship candidate Jimi Agbaje, former Sports and Special Duties Minister Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, Chief Raymond Dokpesi and former Acting Chairman Chief Uche Secondus.

    George, Adeniran, Daniel, Agbaje, Ladoja, and Adedoja are from the Southwest. Dokpesi and Secondus are from the Southsouth. There is consensus in the Southwest that the slot should be zoned to the region. But, there is no agreement on a consensus candidate. The exclusive endorsement of some aspirants by some Board of Trustees (BoT) members from the zone, led by Chief Shuaib Oyedokun, was resisted by other chieftains. The PDP National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Dr. Eddy Olafeso, dissociated his zonal leadership from the endorsement. He said the endorsement, which shut out other contenders, was personal, stressing that it lacked collective blessing.

    Olafeso added: “We detest this act of impunity and will not support any action that will infringe on the fundamental rights of any party man to aspire to the highest position in the party. All those gentlemen from the Southwest that wish to contest for the position of national chairman of the party are at liberty to continue to pursue their ambition without encumbrance and hindrance.”

    The Southwest has insisted that it should be the major beneficiary of zoning to the South. But, the BoT chairman, Senator Walid Jibril, has clarified that the slot is not zoned to the Southwest, but to the entire South. He objected to the selective endorsement championed by Oyedokun and urged other BoT member to exercise restraint.

    The aspirants are traversing the six zones to drum support for their aspirations. The most powerful bloc in the PDP is the PDP Governors’ Forum. The forum many not be backing any candidate from the Southwest, according to a source. The source said the governors may have settled for an aspirant outside the zone for strategic reasons. Although the contenders have been scrambling for the endorsement of the forum, there was disquiet in the fold, until they finally agreed to back a particular candidate.

    “The governors could not make up their minds in time. They were previously enthusiastic about the entry of former Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke into the race. But, he backed out for personal reasons. It appears that their best bet is Secondus, whom they are already familiar with,” added the source. Secondus is from Rivers State and Governor Nyesom Wike is favourably disposed to his candidature. Southsouth chieftains are of the opinion that the zone should occupy the position because they are major financier of the party.

    The implication is that the governors may have objected to the idea of micro-zoning, following the National Caretaker Committee Chairman Ahmed Makarfi’s clarification that the national leadership only recognised the South as a zone, thereby rejecting zoning to the Southwest.

    Many PDP leaders favour zoning to the Southwest, based on equity, fairness and justice. Former National Chairman Senator Ahmadu Ali had pointed out that since 1999, no politician from the Southwest has served as national chairman.

    The lone PDP governor in the Southwest, Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, had advised octogenarian George and Adeniran to quit the race, saying that that the mood in the party favoured generational shift. A source said the vocal governor may be peeping at 2019. Fayose has already for the Presidency, although the slot has been zoned to the North. The Southsouth is targeting the vice presidency. However, if the Southwest fails to produce the national chairman at the convention, Fayose’s chance of emerging as the running mate to the presidential candidate may be bright.

    However, Southeast governors and other prominent leaders, who are nursing the agenda of presenting the vice presidential candidate for the 2019 poll, are torn between Daniel and George, although George has been reaching out to the founding fathers of the party from the zone.

    The two northern governors-Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State and Darius Ishaku of Taraba State, and prominent northern leaders were said to be rooting for George, whom they had worked with in the party secretariat. Fayose and Wike of Rivers State have counselled that that they should favour a younger chieftain for the job.

    However, it is not certain that the duo still have Agbaje as “Plan B,” contrary to the support they gave to him during the botched Port-Harcourt convention.

    Party sources said founding fathers are split over the chairmanship. While a section is supporting George, a section is rooting for Adeniran. However, the founding fathers who have been sidelined in the future know their limitations. They may not be able to exert any influence at the convention. Many of them are too old and have lost their mobilisation prowess.

    Anxiety is brewing, ahead of the national congress. It appears the governors hold the ace. They call the shots.

    The governors will not be indifferent to the tendency of the next chairman. But, many gladiators may also seize the initiative and galvanise delegates from states controlled by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The convention is critical to the future of the PDP. It may be a make or mar congress. The party has not recovered from the Port-Harcourt experience when a carnival-like convention became a disaster.

    A party source said: “If crisis erupts at the convention in Abuja, the PDP may have to brace up for the 2007 experience when Egwu and Ayim polarised the party and former Internal Affairs Minister Prince Vincent Ogbulafor became the dark horse.”

     

  • Ogundipe: Adeniran is candidate to beat at convention

    Ogundipe: Adeniran is candidate to beat at convention

    Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe is a factional National Vice Chairman (Southwest) of the Peoples Democratic Party. He is a supporter of former Minister of Education Prof. Tunde Adeniran, a national chairmanship aspirant. In this interview with ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA, Ogundipe speaks on the forthcoming national convention, the state of the party in Ekiti State and other issues.

    What are the crises your party must resolve at the forthcoming elective National Convention?

    Impunity, disrespect for the law and constitution of the party, greed and all forms of infractions. Our party is seriously emboldened in bigotry, conspiracy and arrogance of power which stink to high heavens. If we can take care of these vices, we are on our way back to government come 2019; these are the problems confronting our party and their ghosts must be buried at the National Convention.

    What kind of personality do you desire as the PDP National Chairman?

    We must not elect a weakling as national chairman, we must not elect someone whose loyalty will be to his godfathers instead of the party. We must not elect a chairman whose personality will send a wrong signal to Nigerians, and by extension, to the electorate. Don’t forget we are approaching election season; we need a chairman whose moral and financial discipline is above board. We need a team player, we need a chairman who is fast thinking and decisive. Not anymore can we afford an armchair chairman. Thank God we have very competent and qualified aspirants coming out from the Southwest, the axis mostly favoured to clinch the position. We must dump sentiment and emotional attachment; we must not forget that whoever emerges will need everybody on board. In my opinion, Prof. Tunde Adeniran is far ahead of other contestants because he possesses the qualities needed to take our party to the Promised Land. He has a great political experience both locally and internationally, he is one of the founding fathers of the party. Adeniran has remained with the party through thick and thin, he has not deviated from the original objectives of the party.

    Adeniran has the energy and the frame of mind to lead our party. He can, by example, persuade others to follow the rules so as to avoid the pitfalls of the past and make the party the choice of the electorate.

    Not only is he a Professor of politics, he is a grassroots politician who can relate with both the high and the low. His political pedigree suggests that he will build bridges and not erect walls.

    What is your reaction to Governor Ayo Fayose’s intention to contest for Presidency in 2019?

    I can only say that it was the height of disrespect to our collective leadership as a party, painfully coming from a senior member. It was a needless triviality that defies both logic and moral fibre; as a member of the Ekweremadu Panel set up by the party to find out across the six geopolitical zones why we lost in 2015, I am saddened. It was not a joke when members spent sleepless nights travelling and collating field reports which were submitted by way of recommendations. The recommendations were far reaching and adopted under due process by the party. The party’s convention of which Fayose was part agreed to zone the Presidency to the North for the 2019 general election and he was part of the convention where the decision was taken. For a senior member of the party to show such disdain is to say the least unfortunate. However, our National (Caretaker) Chairman had put paid to that debate.

    How will you describe the state of the party today in Ekiti?

    Right now, PDP in Ekiti is under siege and I pray seriously that we survive to the next election. Ask Governor fayose the number of people who have defected to the PDP in the last two-and-half years and compare same with members who have been forced to leave. No single tree ever makes a forest; yes, Fayose has a penchant for defeating incumbency, he equally has inclination for making enemies of those people God sent to help him to stardom.

  • Convention ‘ll determine PDP’s future, says chieftain

    Convention ‘ll determine PDP’s future, says chieftain

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, has  that the national convention of the party will determine its future.

    He urged delegates to elect the right leadership to avert future disaster.

    Agbo, a former Benue State PDP chairman,  is a contender for the office of the Deputy National Secretary.

    The PDP stalwart advised delegates to elect committed and loyal chieftains as leaders.

    He told reporters in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), that, if delegates vote wisely, the party will move forward.

    Agbo said: “We will avail our delegates and party members across the country with the services that we have rendered to the party in the past, public service life, our personal characters as seen to them and known to them and all of that from where they will make conclusions. These times call for very dedicated, determined, fearless, courageous leadership of the party.

    “The party membership across the country already had seen in my person how I have managed the party for eight years (as Chairman of Benue PDP and leader of Conference of PDP State Chairmen). Experience is a key factor and is going to be a key driver in our quest to again take over leadership of this country between now and 2019.

    “Ordinarily, when the Presidency is on the ticket of the PDP, party leadership can be driven by anybody. But, at a time like this when we are set to taking the bull by the horn, It calls for segregating the men from the boys.

    He added: “I want to believe that from all the eminently qualified personalities and characters that are seeking for the various offices, definitely one single thing stands one out in each of the offices over the others.

    “That does not demean the others, but because one must stand out, I hope and pray that our delegates will choose for all the offices those that have stood out, so that we can put up a team that would be well equipped and have the capacity to go reconnect PDP with the Nigerian masses and take back power in 2019.”

     

  • APC: Buhari’s absence delays convention

    APC: Buhari’s absence delays convention

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s health has been largely responsible for his party’s inability to hold its mid-term non elective convention.

    Plans for the convention will begin July 29, the All Progressives Congress (APC) said yesterday.

    The party has set up a nine-member committee headed by Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to work out a “shared understanding” of what it meant by restructuring as contained in its manifesto to give a clearer understanding of the issue.

    Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) chairman and Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari who addressed reporters at the end of a meeting between the governors elected on the platform of the party and the National Working Committee (NWC) however said the party chiefs would meet with the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to fix a date  for the convention.

    He explained that in view of the relationship between the executive and the legislature and the need to forge a cordial relationship within the hierarchy of the party, principal officers of the National Assembly would henceforth be part of the regular meeting with the party’s leadership.

    He said: “We discussed a number of issues ranging from congresses, which will commence on Saturday to elect two delegates for the convention. We discussed the issue of the relationship between the governors and the National Assembly and the need to have this meeting between the principal officers of the National Assembly, the governors and the party.

    “We have been on this issue of mid convention for sometime. But you know that the President is the leader of this party and before getting to the convention, there is a process. First, the NWC must agree on the time and we have to adopt the report of the NWC to the NEC and the President must be in attendance as the leader.

    “You know the situation of our President today. We have been fixing time, but because of his illness, we have not been able to hold the convention. But we have to put a process in place so that we can hold the mid-term convention.

    “It is not an elective convention and the three delegates to be elected on Saturday, July 29 will be the delegates for convention, which will fill some of the existing vacancies. This convention has nothing to do with the PDP.

    “We have agreed collectively that we are going to meet the Acting President. But you should understand that he is acting in the capacity of the President of the country as well as Vice President. Tomorrow, he is going to perform the function of Vice President as Chairman of National Economic Council and the entire issue of security, the economy and administration lies on him.

    “So, you cannot take him as a small man to deal with because he is two in one. We will meet with him to discuss other issues as well as the issue of convention. We are not saying anything different from what we have decided earlier in the issue of convention.”

    Yari said the meeting discussed also the Osun senatorial election which the party lost, adding that the meeting set up a committee made up of governors and members of the NWC to look into the issue with a view to ensuring that there is no repeat of such in future.

    “Let me say it is a wake-up call on how to deal with things like that in future. We are in a democratic setting and Adeleke is from APC and his late brother is from APC and we all know what happened. We have discussed that extensively and measures have been taken to avoid future occurrence.”

    National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said a committee to be headed by El-Rufai would define what the party meant by restructuring.

    The 10 members of the committee are El-Rufai (Chairman), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano), Simon Lalong (Plateau) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Oserheimen Osunbor, Sen. Osita Izunaso, Hajiya Fatima Bala and Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Secretary).