The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing another crisis, and its former national publicity secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, warns that failing to zone the chairmanship position to the North Central region could worsen the situation.
The party has been in turmoil since 2022, following its national convention that chose former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its 2023 presidential candidate.
Some party members, led by disgruntled governors like Nyesom Wike, opposed this decision and worked against the party.
Currently, the PDP is divided over its national secretary position, with Sunday Ude-Okoye and Samuel Anyanwu engaged in a legal battle.
Ologbondiyan emphasizes that the national chairmanship position must be zoned to the North Central region to prevent further disruption.
In the word of Ologbondiyan
He said, “We saw it coming, and anybody in the Peoples Democratic Party who is interested in the party’s life cannot claim not to know that this would happen.
“Having said that, I still insist, and I believe I speak for the majority of North Central — that even if it’s going to be for a day, the North Central must be allowed to take over the office of the substantive national chairman.
“Senator Iyorchia Ayu vacated that office. Ambassador Ilyasu Damagum stay is in acting capacity. That is not substantive.
“So, whether the life of the present executive would end in December or before then, the North Central should be given the opportunity, otherwise, the challenge that led to G5 is still alive. It may not function in the same way, but it would be on record that the party at a point was unjust to the people of North Central.”
Key Issues:
– Zoning of National Chairmanship: Ologbondiyan insists that the North Central region must be allowed to take over the office of the substantive national chairman, even if only for a short period.
– Current Crisis: The PDP is divided over its national secretary position, with a legal battle ongoing between Sunday Ude-Okoye and Samuel Anyanwu.
– Party’s Board of Trustees Directive: The party’s Board of Trustees has directed the National Working Committee to swear in Sunday Ude-Okoye as substantive national secretary, following a court judgment.
Efforts are underway to return the party’s national chairmanship to the North Central region, with some governors pushing for this change