Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and loyalists of Barr. Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), are currently in a fresh tussle over key party offices ahead of the November 16 national convention.
Both camps agree that the next national chairman of the party should be a former governor to command respect among members.
The committee, led by Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa, zoned the chairmanship to the north but failed to micro-zone it.
Sources told ThisDay that the governors are backing Ibrahim Shekarau, former governor of Kano, from the north-west.
On the other hand, Wike’s loyalists, who had earlier considered T.J. Yusuf from Kogi, are now rooting for Samuel Ortom, former governor of Benue, from the north-central.
Ortom, a former PDP national auditor, state secretary, and deputy state chairman, also served as a minister before becoming governor for eight years.
Wike’s camp is insisting that the chairmanship should remain in the north-central, rejecting Shekarau’s North-West bid.
The governors and Wike’s group are also divided over the national secretary position.
South-East, South-West, and South-South vice chairmen of the party had agreed to zone the office to the South-West.
Some stakeholders, however, argue that since Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo could emerge as the PDP presidential candidate, it would be unfair to give the South-West the secretary’s slot.
As a result, the position was swapped with that of the deputy national chairman.
The zoning document, dated September 1, was signed by Ali Odefa (South-East), Ajisafe Kamorudeen (South-West), and Emmanuel Ogidi (South-South).
But Senator Samuel Anyanwu, outgoing national secretary and a close ally of Wike, dismissed the arrangement, saying Odefa is no longer a member of the PDP.
Odefa countered that he would not join issues with those who “decided to go so low”.
Anyanwu argued that moving the secretary’s office to the South-West would tilt the balance of power in favour of Makinde.
The zoning has been rejected by Wike’s loyalists, who are demanding an inclusive convention.
Insiders said Makinde and South-East stakeholders are lobbying to retain the secretary’s office in their zones.
The south-west, meanwhile, is pushing for Taofeek Arapaja, deputy national chairman, to assume the role of national secretary.
The South-South is also angling for the national publicity secretary’s slot, while the national auditor is set to move from Anambra to Abia.
Wike’s camp insists Odefa cannot negotiate for the South-East, citing his removal by an Ebonyi state high court.
They recognise Chidi Ebere Egwu as the authentic South-East chairman of the party.
