PDP Convention: Northern Elders, Leaders Back South-west For Chairmanship
BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – Ahead of its December 9, 2017 National Convention, Northern elders and leaders Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rose from a crucial meeting in Abuja in the early hours of Friday declaring their support for the South-west geo-political zone’s quest to produce the next National Chairman of the party.
The PDP Northern elders and leaders said its resolve to strongly support a South-west candidate for the chairmanship position is 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 Party.
As a means of achieving the goal, the PDP Northern leaders urged delegates from all the Northern States to abide by the decision and vote for only aspirants from the South-west geo-political zone in the forthcoming national convention in the best interest of the party.
It, however, said that its position on the matter is without prejudice to the right of aspirants from other geo-political zones to contest.
These were contained in a communique issued at the end of the meeting which held at the Ajuji Hotel, Abuja from the evening of Thursday November 30 to the early hours of Friday December 1, 2017.
The communique, which was signed by the former Governor of Kano State, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and former Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly Hon Magaret Icheen, supported the dire need to rebuild the confidence of Nigerians in the PDP as it moves towards 2019 which it said remains paramount.
The Northern PDP elders further said whatever decision that is to be taken by members should be in tandem with this and therefore directed the geo-political zones to put in place mechanisms to reconcile those that are aggrieved as a result of the micro-zoning in their zone.
The communique further stated; “The forum resolved that capable and competent aspirants should be identified and supported.
“The forum received reports from the three geo-political zones of the region, regarding the micro-zoning of positions zoned to them, in line with the spirit of rotation.
“The forum considered other sensitive issues that have serious bearing on the success of the party in the 2019 general elections and reiterated the need for all and sundry to put hands on deck for the success of the party.”
The PDP Northern elders’ forum called on all members of the party to accord the National Caretaker Committee (NCC), the required support to conduct a credible, transparent, free and fair convention come 9th-10th December, 2017.
