The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is meeting today in Abuja to consider the proposals for the distribution and micro-zoning of national offices ahead of the National Convention.
The National Convention holds in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, in November.
Today’s meeting at the party’s national secretariat is also expected to consider the report of the Convention Committee, led Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, and the Zoning Panel headed by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri.
The two committees were inaugurated during the last NEC meeting in Abuja by the Acting National Chairman,Ambassador Umar Damagum.
Ahead of the meeting, four organs of the party – the Governors’ Forum, National Caucus, National Working Committee (NWC) and Board of Trustees (BoT) – held pre-NEC meeting for the purpose of ironing out differences and achieving consensus on issues germane to the National Convention.
PDP governors, who adjourned their meeting in Gausau, Zamfara State, at the weekend, re-converged on the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja to brainstorm on knotty issues that could further polarise the party.
According to the pre-convention time-table released by the party, the sales of nomination and expression of interest forms for national offices would take place between September 3 and 22.
Last week, the Southern PDP Zoning Summit convened by Diri resolved to table its micro-zoning proposals to the NEC today, despite the objection by the pro-Nyesom Wike group,which alleged lack of wide consultation and exclusion of many stakeholders.
Sources said some aggrieved party chieftains may submit petitions to the NEC on allegations of anti-party activities against the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, who has started drumming support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Wike, who has given conditions for peace in the party, insisted that the zonal congress that produced Chief Dan Orbih as National Vice Chairman (South) should be upheld by the national leadership.
He has also said that Chief Ali Odefa should not be recognised as National Vice Chairman (East) because the court had invalidate his claim to the position.
