Contrary to claims that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) zoning committee did not conclude its assignment, indications have emerged that the committee concluded on retaining the party’s chairmanship in the South.
A source close to the committee told the Truth that the zoning panel resolved that its members should go and brief their respective governors in states before making their recommendations public.
This comes as the committee submits its report on Thursday to the party leadership for further deliberation. Also the PDP governors are expected to meet on Wednesday over the matter just as preparations for the October 30 national convention of the party intensifies.
The 44-member PDP zoning committee, led by the Enugu State governor, Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, met in Enugu last Thursday to make recommendations on where the party should zone party offices.
The Truth had reported that the committee split into two camps during the meeting. A group mainly made up of northern bloc and South West leaders insisted on retaining the current zoning arrangement, while the other group, made up of South East leaders with support of some South South leaders, pushed for the next national chairman to come from the North.
However after a vote on the matter, the Northern bloc prevailed.
But speaking to our correspondence yesterday, the source said the committee actually concluded and agreed to zone the chairmanship of the party to the South and retain all the NWC positions in the geo-political zones that they presently reside.
Meanwhile, the Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will meet this week.
The meeting, according to an impeccable source within the party, is to strategize ahead of its forthcoming State Congresses.
Recall that the party during the month shifted its State Congresses from 2nd to 16th October, 2021.
The national secretary of the party’s CECPC, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe said the postponement was based on “the need to honour the country’s 61st Independence anniversary which holds a day before the initial date fixed for the state congresses.
“Governors, ministers, and party members will be involved in the Independence celebrations in their various states. The party decided to reschedule the state congresses to allow all our members to participate in the Independence celebration.”
The meeting, it was gathered, will deliberate and release an updated timetable/schedule of activities and guidelines for the conduct of the State Congresses and release same to the public.
Another highlight of the meeting will be the approval of State Congresses Committee members.
The meeting is also to review the performance of the party in the already held Ward and Local Government Congresses, which had generated some ripples and a number of petitions before the party to resolve.