On Monday, members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, under the platform of the Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders of the PDP, were reported to have warned that the party’s forthcoming national convention in November would be invalid if their resolutions were not implemented.
According to The Punch, the warning was issued after a meeting that lasted nearly three hours, culminating in a communiqué read by former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.
Ortom was reported to have stressed the group’s collective commitment to the principles of equity, justice, inclusivity, and the rule of law, which he described as the very foundations on which the PDP was built and on which its survival still depended.
As part of their demands, Wike’s camp was said to have acknowledged satisfaction with the zoning arrangements already adopted by the National Executive Committee (NEC). However, they insisted that the National Working Committee must ensure that no form of micro-zoning was introduced, arguing that such a move would jeopardise peace and stability within the party.
They further maintained that the national chairmanship position should remain in the North-Central, in accordance with the zoning formula adopted during the 2021 convention.
In an interview with The Punch, former PDP National Secretary, Ibrahim Tsauri, was reported to have alleged that Nyesom Wike was acting on behalf of President Bola Tinubu with the aim of destabilising the party.
The National Executive Committee (NEC) member was quoted as saying that the PDP belonged to all its members, stressing that everyone had an equal stake in it and that no individual or group could threaten the party.
Further talking, he said, “We know Wike is working for the President to destroy the party. I am very optimistic that the convention will hold as scheduled. My only fear is only one thing, that is the judiciary.”
It was further stated that if the judiciary stood its ground and refused to yield to pressure, the convention would hold peacefully. The source stressed that regardless of the demands being made, nobody would be able to stop the PDP.
