PDP sets May 14 deadline for zones to resolve disputes

• South West zone holds separate meetings in Akure, Ijebu Igbo
• Party cancels ward congresses in Lagos, Osun, Adamawa
• Babangida Aliyu, John Odey, others want national convention postponed

Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may have fixed May 14 deadline for all the geo-political zones and state chapters of the party to resolve their differences over national offices zoned to them.

The date, which makes it one week to national convention of the party billed for Port Harcourt, PDP sources hinted, was to enable them put their act together and speak with one voice at the convention.

The Guardian learnt that the decision was actually meant to rein in the disputing members particularly those from the South West and South South who have been kicking over the posts of national chairman and deputy national chairman.

Confirming the factionalisation of the party, especially in the South West, two groups organized separate zonal meetings, one in Akure, Ondo State, attended by Ondo and Ekiti state governors and the other led by PDP National Vice Chairman (South West), Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe and Senator Buruji Kashamu, which held in Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State.

Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has cancelled the ward congresses in Adamawa, Lagos and Osun States. It also announced the dissolution of the committees it set up to conduct the congresses in those states.

According to a statement issued by the Party’s national organising secretary, Abubakar Mustapha, on Wednesday, ‎”New committees have been reconstituted accordingly and congresses will continue in these states from Friday, 6th of May, 2016 respectively.”

In Abuja, a group of concerned Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders yesterday after a meeting, called for the postponement of the party’s May 21, national convention.

Led by former Niger State governor, Babangida Aliu, the group also faulted the zoning formula adopted by the party.

The party stakeholders observed that the procedure and conduct of the congresses nationwide were flawed with resultant disaffection and disagreements.

Other members of the group are Dr. Bala Mohammed, Mrs. Zainab Maina, John Odey, Sulaiman Abubakar, Capt. Hassan Mohammed (rtd); Saidu Ndako Idris, Dr. Bolere Ketebu, Kaulaha Aliyu.

Tagging it expanded Executive Committee, the Ijebu Igbo meeting threw its weight behind the party’s Acting National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff in office.