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Tag: PDP

  • PDP BoT members warn Jonathan on fifth columnists

    PDP BoT members warn Jonathan on fifth columnists

    Chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State reacted yesterday to a report alleging that loyalists of the House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal, including the party’s consensus governorship candidate, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, are under watch by the Presidency.

    They warned President Goodluck Jonathan to be wary of the antics of fifth columnists, who want to make him lose his support base through rumour mongering.

    The former national chairman of the party, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, who is a member of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Amb. Justina Eze, also a BoT member and another chieftain of the party reacted to the report.

    They said it was an “insult on the leaders of the party in the state to reduce their hard-earned popular decision for 2015 to the whims of the personal decision of Tambuwal.”

    Speaking in interviews, Eze, Nwodo and another PDP chieftain, who preferred anonymity, agreed that whatever happened in the National Assembly had nothing to do with the decision of the indigenes to support the emergence of Ugwuanyi as the “very popular consensus candidate of the party.”

    The PDP chief said it was clear that those behind the campaign against Ugwuanyi “are those who feel they have failed to convince our people that they are the better materials for governorship and they have shown that they have failed.”

    Nwodo said: “What does Tambuwal stand for and how does that affect the plausible decision of all times that the people of the state have just taken that this young man (Ugwuanyi) is our party’s consensus candidate?

    “We as leaders in Enugu State with our people have spoken and anybody casting aspersions on that decision should be ready to face the music.

    “Such people should know that the days of imposition and secret anointing of aspirants, who are unpopular, are over and anyone who wants to test his popularity should get ready to do that on November 29 when we hold our primaries. It has been shown that our decision on Ugwuanyi remains the most popular since the creation of our state and they know it.”

    Eze said: “The action of the faceless people, who wrote the report of Tambuwal’s men on the watch, is stupid. They are dangerous to the aspiration of President Jonathan.

    “These are people, who have failed to visit their constituencies for years and nobody knows what they are doing at the National Assembly. They have remained very unpopular among our people and they now want to deceive the President to become the enemies of popular leaders, who will help him to earn votes.

    “I advise President Jonathan to be wary of these desperate politicians, who have no capacity to attract votes for him during the coming elections.”

    The PDP chieftains said Ugwuanyi earned his position as a long-standing chairman of the Committee on Marine Transport in the House of Representatives, having held it even during the tenure of former Speaker Dimeji Bankole, adding that the International Maritime Organisation found the lawmaker worthy of the position he was holding.

     

  • Dickson’s aides resign for elections

    Dickson’s aides resign for elections

    About eight political appointees in Bayelsa State have resigned their appointments to run for offices in next year’s election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    It was gathered that the governor’s aides had indicated interests to contest for the seats in the state and national assemblies.

    Among those said to have announced their resignations last Monday were the Commissioner for Education, Mr. Salo Adikumo, and the Chief of Staff, Bayelsa House, Abuja, Chief Dikivie Ikhiogha.

    Others were Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Mr. Fred Agbedi and the Commissioner for Local Government, Mr. Maitama Obodo.

     

    It was also gathered that the Director-General of the Due Process Bureau, Mr. Joshua Ogore, as well as three senior special assistants and a special adviser also resigned.

     

     

     

    Announcing the resignation of Agbedi, a statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said Mr. Fyneman Wilson, had been appointed as the new political adviser.

    He said Wilson, who had previously held many elected and appointed positions, was expected to boost the running of government with his wealth of experience.

    He expressed the governor’s gratitude to Agbedi for his diligence and commitment in the discharge of his assignments as director-general of his campaign outfit and later the special adviser on Political Matters.

  • Aspirant lauds PDP’s anti-zoning policy

    Aspirant lauds PDP’s anti-zoning policy

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Rivers State, Hon.  Dumbari Ben Dimkpa, has commended the chapter for rejecting the option of zoning the governorship to a particular area.

    No fewer than 10 aspirants are vying for the ticket. They are from the three senatorial zones.

    Dimkpa, who is from Ogoniland said in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), that the party’s action will prevent ethnic rivalry and enhance credibility and competence.

    He said aspirants agitating for zoning are those who lack what it takes to participate in a democratic primary.

    He commended the state PDP leader and the Minister of State for Education, Nyeson Wike, and the chairman, Prince Felix Obuah, for their leadership qualities.

    He said though Governor Rotimi Amaechi has defected from the PDP, the party is still very strong in the state.

    Dimkpa, who was Special Adviser on Projects to former Governor Celestine Omeiha and one-time Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), described Wike as a misunderstood leader.

    He said: “I respect Wike as the leader of the party in the state because those who want to be elders should respect those who are elders. I’m not challenging him, but I want to say emphatically that I’m also competent to rule the state, if given the opportunity.

    “Wike is an open-hearted leader who is not restricting the contest to himself. He’s not selfish; people are only misinforming the public. He has told the party to provide a level-playing ground for every aspirant. If you’re competent, you come out. The state leadership of the party has thrown the contest open. It’s not in favour of anybody.

    “They should leave Wike alone. As a Rivers man, nothing stops him from coming out to participate in the primaries.”

    Dimkpa promised to establish a machine tools industry, if elected as the governor.

    He said: “The machine tools industry is the industry that produces all the nuts, bolts, which are the tools those in the informal sector, particularly the artisans, the mechanic, the vulcaniser by the road, the repairer, use to work. They will have access to the basic tools they utilise to develop the sector.”

  • Ashiru picks form

    Ashiru picks form

    Two-term House of Representatives’ member and former Kaduna State House of Assembly member Isa Mohammed Ashiru has picked the governorship nomination form of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Speaking yesterday at the party’s state secretariat in Kaduna, Ashiru said he wanted to be governor to save the people from the “misrule” of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said: “The people of Kaduna State have suffered tremendously from the misrule of the PDP in the last seven years. The economy is bleeding and we must find a lasting solution.”

     

    I have come here to pick my nomination form for the great journey to a new Kaduna State. This is a noble course borne out of a genuine desire to rebuild the broken walls of our dear state.

    “The decision is informed by sincere calls from friends, elders, stakeholders of our great party and members of the general public, who are convinced of my capacity and ability to lead the state out of the woods, the hopelessness and stagnated situation the ruling party has deliberately thrown it into in the last seven years.

    “Thus in obedience to their clarion calls and my conviction that Kaduna State can better be governed, I have decided to offer myself to the service of the people on the platform of the APC in the 2015 general elections.”

    Kaduna APC Chairman Barnabas Bantex said the party would provide a level playing field for all aspirants.

     

  • Kogi PDP deputy chairman, secretary resign

    Kogi PDP deputy chairman, secretary resign

    •Aspirants condemn zoning 

    Kogi State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy Chairman Idris Jimoh and Secretary Emma Egwu yesterday resigned to contest elective offices in the 2015 general elections.

    Announcing their resignation at the party’s secretariat in Lokoja, PDP Chairman Hassan Salau said their resignation had been accepted.

    He said both could not speak on their aspirations yet because the party was still mourning its Woman Leader, Hajia Zubada Mayaki, who died last Saturday.

    Also yesterday, some PDP aspirants kicked against the party’s zoning policy, describing it as “undemocratic”.

    They said they would aspire for office, whether or not it is zoned to their area.

    Suleiman Babadoko, who represents Lokoja I in the House of Assembly, condemned zoning after obtaining his nomination form to seek reelection.

    Another aspirant, Lawal Idris, however insisted that zoning should be respected.

    He said it was the turn of Ajaokuta to produce the next representative of Lokoja I.

    Idris said: “The incumbent Council Chairman, Aloysius Okino, who is also contesting for the position, has abused the gentleman agreement and the zoning arrangement put in place by PDP stakeholders and leaders in the constituency.”

    Ajaokuta Local Government PDP leader Moses Okino urged aspirants to comply with the party’s guideline. He promised to set up a committee to handle the negotiation for a consensus candidate where possible.

     

  • Aspirant lauds PDP’s anti-zoning policy

    Aspirant lauds PDP’s anti-zoning policy

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Rivers State, Hon.  Dumbari Ben Dimkpa, has commended the chapter for rejecting the option of zoning the governorship to a particular area.

    No fewer than 10 aspirants are vying for the ticket. They are from the three senatorial zones.

    Dimkpa, who is from Ogoniland said in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), that the party’s action will prevent ethnic rivalry and enhance credibility and competence.

    He said aspirants agitating for zoning are those who lack what it takes to participate in a democratic primary.

    He commended the state PDP leader and the Minister of State for Education, Nyeson Wike, and the chairman, Prince Felix Obuah, for their leadership qualities.

    He said though Governor Rotimi Amaechi has defected from the PDP, the party is still very strong in the state.

    Dimkpa, who was Special Adviser on Projects to former Governor Celestine Omeiha and one-time Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), described Wike as a misunderstood leader.

    He said: “I respect Wike as the leader of the party in the state because those who want to be elders should respect those who are elders. I’m not challenging him, but I want to say emphatically that I’m also competent to rule the state, if given the opportunity.

    “Wike is an open-hearted leader who is not restricting the contest to himself. He’s not selfish; people are only misinforming the public. He has told the party to provide a level-playing ground for every aspirant. If you’re competent, you come out. The state leadership of the party has thrown the contest open. It’s not in favour of anybody.

    “They should leave Wike alone. As a Rivers man, nothing stops him from coming out to participate in the primaries.”

    Dimkpa promised to establish a machine tools industry, if elected as the governor.

    He said: “The machine tools industry is the industry that produces all the nuts, bolts, which are the tools those in the informal sector, particularly the artisans, the mechanic, the vulcaniser by the road, the repairer, use to work. They will have access to the basic tools they utilise to develop the sector.”

  • Redrawing Cross River political map

    Redrawing Cross River political map

    The mantra of change is not new. Some believe it passionately while others hate it. Some even hate me for just the thought of it. The truth is, like it or hate it, the idea that there is a likelihood of change in the Cross River State political environment is given.ý

    The funny thing about it is that the issues and events shaping this change are self-inflicted by those that are opposed to it. Simply put: Political change here is driven by sheer arrogance of power and the misread political environment that suggest that those holding temporary power hold a permanent franchise on how we think and behave politically.

    Take the scenario that the powers that be are attempting to foist unpopular aspirants as PDP flagbearers on the electorates in this age and end time of an almost eclipsed influence of a dying hegemony, then you get the full picture.

    I cannot speak for the Southern Senatorial District of Cross Rivers, but from interactions it is clear that the regime’s preference for a senatorial candidate is symptomatic of a system bent on destroying itself. I cannot think of a worst indifference to public opinion and a crass arrogance on how not to attempt to foist an unpopular candidate on a people. The scenario at Central is however a bit tricky, yet not entirely different. The challenger to Senator Ndoma Egba may be populist in outlook but people are beginning to think again about the reasons they are fed for on why a prominent and capable representative like the Senator should be replaced because someone said he offended his sensibilities!

    It is not helpful that this candidature is offending the sensibilities of the party at the centre which sees the senator’s challenger as at best a marginal PDP member who joined the rebellion against the party to form a cabal that has served their selfish interests in the House of Representatives.

    The Governor’s continued accommodation of this rebellious group in the state remains suspicious as his cozy relationship with the leadership of the rebellion has not gone unnoticed at the highest level despite his pretense at loyalty. It is remarkable that the Speaker of the House has never missed an occasion in Cross River State, even if it is a football match or an innocuous declaration or empowerment programme especially if organised by one of the members of his rebellious group who he has sufficiently empowered with juicy committee chairmanship in the House.

    It makes sense to recall with hindsight that Honourable John Owan-Enoh was the first minority Leader of the Cross River State House of Assembly at inception as an elected member of APP as it then was. He only cross-carpeted to the PDP to save his career which has blossomed unbelievably under the leadership of Governor Imoke.

    The questions that easily arise are:  Is the governor one of the patrons of the rebellion or a mutual friend and sympathiser of it? How loyal is a friend whose friends are your “enemies”? When we as innocent citizens keep asking why our Governor, Chairman of the South South Governors’ forum from where the President comes, acclaimed bosom friend of the President and member of his kitchen cabinet, cannot influence anything to our state in four years, not even a symbolic solidarity visit, in the absence of any project for the President to come and commission, then there is a critical problem of doubtful loyalty.

    The only citizens of our state who are loyal and playing at the centre of the President’s attention are not just “enemies” of our governor, they are haunted and if need be removed from office. That is the calamity of the vilification of Senator Victor Ndoma – Egba, Leader of the Senate, a very loyal member of the Senate and one of the most cerebral members of Nigeria ‘s legislature who must be stopped by force to please Governor Imoke and of Goddy Jedy Agba, who he haunted out of office as Group General Manager, Crude Oil Marketing of NNPC, before his eventual voluntary retirement.

    As our dear governor prepares to bow out of office, it is clear that he does not want to leave behind any capable representative of the state at the federal level except those he has adjudged as owing personal loyalty to him and him alone. The interest of the state is secondary.  One would have imagined that a state deprived of oil revenue as Cross River State will leverage on its human resources capacity to  add value to its citizens by making maximum use of the experience and contacts of her citizens at the federal level. But alas! They are chased and fought to oblivion by the very people who swore to protect them in the name of politics ! ý

    Thus, Senator Otu is to vacate his seat for the governor’s buddy, Gershom Bassey; Hon. Daniel Asuquo for the Governor’s cousin Dr. Emil Inyang; Hon. Essien Ayi for Dominic Oqua Edem; Hon. Nkoyo Toyo for Hon. Ita Mbora. By this calculation Hon. Frank Adah and Hon. Bassey Ewa will remain as a mark of their “meritorious” service while Senator Ayade vacates for Hon. Rose Oko.

    In Governor Imoke’s calculation there should be no ranking senator from Cross River State by 2015 at the National Assembly so that he can rule Cross River State by proxy if his still-born effort at single-handedly nominating a puppet for the governorship of  the state were to   succeed. But for the first time, Cross Riverians are saying loudly : Enough Is Enough! And Governor Imoke is not coming to terms with this new Cross River anymore, not knowing that his conduct has radicalised an otherwise docile and peaceful people.

    ýWe must make the point that it is high time we made loyalty count in PDP Cross River State! Ninety percent of the foundation members of the party have become onlookers unless you share a cult like following with the governor! That is why a retired Clerk of the House of Assembly will be foisted on the party as chairman barely two months after retirement! Meaning there was no other party member to be so trusted! ý Ninety percent of cabinet members who today, to the governor’s embarrassment, are angling to take over from him were brought in  from banks, classrooms or any menial private engagement as members of the executive council and know nothing about how to even become delegates let alone contest for governorship !

    What a glorious Legacy of service and loyalty our governor wants to leave as a parting gift to us all!

    For those who still think the struggle is not about them, when it gets to you there will be no one else left to fight for you.

    Cross Riverians think twice and shine your eyes! We need a neutral member of the party to reunite us and usher in a new direction in the approach to managing us as a people without promoting hate, discord and mediocrity in the name of “loyalty “!

    The “loyalists” amongst you are the opponents of yesterday and potential opponents of tomorrow!

    • Ikem, Esq, is former National Publicity Secretary of PDP.  

     

     

  • 2015: Jonathan’s stance deepens crises in PDP

    2015: Jonathan’s stance deepens crises in PDP

    2015 succession crises get worse

    A Presidential intervention to stem the crises of succession in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) states has failed to do the magic.

    President Goodluck Jonathan at a meeting at the Villa in Abuja warned the governors elected on the party’s platform against fielding unpopular candidates.

    He said such a development could affect the party’s fortune in 2015 as PDP may lose in some states.

    But, the governors left the meeting, insisting on having a say on who their successors should be.

    The President and the governors also agreed to wait till former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari emerges the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before coming up with “appropriate response” to issues the aspirant raised last week.

    Gen. Buhari lashed the ruling party for “destroying the economy and failing to unite and secure the country”.

    The President, the governors and PDP leadership are to meet soon on how to tackle the challenges associated with the governors aspiring to be senators.

    According to a source, who spoke in confidence, although the President said there was nothing  bad in the governors having interest in their successors, they should put the party’s interest and survival above personal issues.

    The source quoted the President as being very blunt, telling the governors that since most of them are completing their two terms in office, he would be the one to work with their successors.

    “Jonathan said: ‘I cannot take chances; the PDP cannot take chances. We are interested in those who will be governors in 2015. You should not field unpopular candidates or else the party will lose.’

    “The President said if the PDP were circumspect in 2011, the ruling party would not have experienced the defection of five governors to the opposition party.”

    The source quoted Jonathan as saying: ‘The five governors embarrassed me because I had no say on how they emerged in 2011.’

    “At a point, the President recalled how the five governors walked out on him during the National Convention in Abuja which led to the crisis in the PDP. He said the party does not want to produce such rebellious governors in 2015.

    “He said you can never rule out the capacity of a sitting governor.”

    Another source said the President spoke on the need to be on guard to check the opposition from benefiting from any nomination crisis in PDP.

    The second source said: “The President said the party must field candidates who can win elections. He said: ‘I want results; the party wants numbers to deny APC of winning 25 per cent of the votes anywhere with the right candidates.’

    The meeting was said to have considered the consequences of the declaration of former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to vie for the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    A governor, who tried to underplay the fears of PDP on Gen. Buhari, said: “We looked at Buhari’s declaration jokingly because he has not emerged as a candidate.

    “The outcome of APC primaries will determine the appropriate response or strategy to Buhari’s candidature.”

    The President, the governors andthe PDP will still “meet on the senatorial aspirations of the governors at another session”.

    But after the meeting Abia State Governor Theodore Orji said: “We discussed our party and the primaries that will soon come. We looked at how to fortify our party to avoid rancour or in fighting to enable us do very well both in the primaries and general elections in 2015.”

    Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema said the meeting evaluated strategies for a successful conduct of the party’s forthcoming primaries.

    Adamawa State Governor Bala Ngilari spoke on the situation in his state.

    He said: “The political situation in Adamawa is very stable, I can assure you. The people are very happy. You know, the common man appreciates when justice is done at all times. They are very happy; you can do your independent verification.”

    “All the reported noise in some quarters that heavens will fall because of my swearing in, nothing like that has happened. I thank the people of Adamawa for their massive support and we promise to keep faith with them,’’ he said

    Governors at the meeting were Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and Martin Elechi (Ebonyi).

    Others are Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Saidu Dakingari (Kebbi), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), and Umar Garba (Acting Governor of Taraba), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Jonah Jang (Plateau) and the deputy governors of Kogi and Nasarawa states.

    Many governors are faced with stiff opposition in their states over their choice of successors.

    In Akwa ibom State, Governor Godswill Akpabio is believed to be backing former Secretary to the State Government  Udom Emmanuel but another former SSG, Umana Okon Umana, and others are opposed to him.

    Delta State Governor Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan is believed to be supporting Anthony Obuh. Contenders like Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, House of Representatives member Ndudi Elumelu, Chief Obaisi Omo-Agege and former minister Godsday Orubebe won’t agree.

    The plot by some leaders of the PDP in Rivers State to put forward former Minister of State Nyesom Wike is creating ripples in the party.

    In Ebonyi, Governor Martin Elechi is pushing for former Health Minister Onyebuchi Chukwu, but some aspirants are unhappy.

    Enugu State Governor Sullivan Chime has pitched his tent with House of Representatives member Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi but Senator Ayogo Eze is kicking.

  • Aspirant lauds PDP’s anti-zoning policy

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Rivers State, Hon.  Dumbari Ben Dimkpa, has commended the chapter for rejecting the option of zoning the governorship to a particular area.

    No fewer than 10 aspirants are vying for the ticket. They are from the three senatorial zones.

    Dimkpa, who is from Ogoniland said in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), that the party’s action will prevent ethnic rivalry and enhance credibility and competence.

    He said aspirants agitating for zoning are those who lack what it takes to participate in a democratic primary.

    He commended the state PDP leader and the Minister of State for Education, Nyeson Wike, and the chairman, Prince Felix Obuah, for their leadership qualities.

    He said though Governor Rotimi Amaechi has defected from the PDP, the party is still very strong in the state.

    Dimkpa, who was Special Adviser on Projects to former Governor Celestine Omeiha and one-time Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), described Wike as a misunderstood leader.

    He said: “I respect Wike as the leader of the party in the state because those who want to be elders should respect those who are elders. I’m not challenging him, but I want to say emphatically that I’m also competent to rule the state, if given the opportunity.

    “Wike is an open-hearted leader who is not restricting the contest to himself. He’s not selfish; people are only misinforming the public. He has told the party to provide a level-playing ground for every aspirant. If you’re competent, you come out. The state leadership of the party has thrown the contest open. It’s not in favour of anybody.

    “They should leave Wike alone. As a Rivers man, nothing stops him from coming out to participate in the primaries.”

    Dimkpa promised to establish a machine tools industry, if elected as the governor.

    He said: “The machine tools industry is the industry that produces all the nuts, bolts, which are the tools those in the informal sector, particularly the artisans, the mechanic, the vulcaniser by the road, the repairer, use to work. They will have access to the basic tools they utilise to develop the sector.”

  • 2015: Jonathan, PDP face tough task in Southeast, Southsouth

    2015: Jonathan, PDP face tough task in Southeast, Southsouth

    Contrary to the assumption of an easy ride for President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 eletions, they may face some challenges in the Southeast and Southsouth.

    Some angry stakeholders in the zones are threatening protest votes if the party’s primaries were not transparent to allow the people’s will to prevail.

    One of the Southsouth governors has threatened to ask his favoured senatorial candidate to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to unseat a two-term senator.

    The development is said to be of concern to the PDP leadership.

    Investigation by our correspondent showed that the PDP is at a crossroads in eight states following attempts by some governors to impose governorship candidates on the party.

    A high-ranking PDP leader, who spoke in confidence, said: “We are having serious challenges in some states in the Southeast and Southsouth. The consensus option is being resisted in about eight states.

    “Some of the aspirants are already threatening to defect to APC or work against the interest of the party.

    “We have a case where a governor is threatening to work against the interest of the party. We may lose some states in the Southeast and Southsouth unless we are circumspect.

    “I can assure you that the President and PDP leaders will try to resolve the crisis.”

    A member of the NWC said: “We have already opened discussions with some of the affected governors in order to put the success of the party above any other consideration.

    “What you call problems or challenges are not limited to the PDP. We will sort things out in a ‘family manner’ to avoid going for the 2015 poll divided.”

    Some of the governors facing tough tasks in anointing their successors are: Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Sullivan Chime (Enugu) and Theodore Orji (Abia).

    In Rivers and Imo states, the battle for the governorship slots is tearing the PDP apart.

    While the crisis of confidence in Rivers State is between former Minister Nyesom Wike and some stakeholders, the struggle for the ticket in Imo has pitched former Governor Ikedi Ohakim against Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha.

    The case at hand in Enugu State has pitched Governor Sullivan Chime against stakeholders.

    In Delta State, favoured candidate, Tony Obuh, is facing a battle from Ovie Omo-Agege, Ndudi Elumelu and Ngozi Olojeme.

    But the issue in Delta is the opposition to the zoning of the governorship slot.

    A source said: “As the PDP gears up to retain the Presidency and the governorship in Delta State, the party leadership needs to be conscious of a startling fact: In 2011, elections in Delta Central alone accounted for about 60 and 50 per cent of votes in the presidential and governorship elections.

    “Zoning in Delta State has been an issue of concern among the stakeholders. Even though Delta North keeps pushing, it remains the only zone that is yet to produce a governor. Delta Central and Delta South are saying the zoning formula does not come to play as far as the 2015 elections are concerned.

    “Many analysts believe President Goodluck Jonathan faces a tough reelection battle with the emergence of the All Progressives Party (APC), which is threatening PDP’s  hold on the central government.

    “In 2011, voter turnout in the Southeast and Southsouth was 65.8 per cent and 67.96 per cent. If Jonathan and the party must hold on to power, there must be an increase in voter turnout in the 2015 presidential election in these geopolitical zones…”