The National Executive Council of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would be holding a meeting today, October 15 and there are indications that it will be chaotic.
This is as a result of moves by a section of the membership of the party from the North-East to ensure that the position of the national chairman is returned to them, This Day reports.
Majority of the members of the council have opposed this move by people from the North-East and would prefer the status-quo to be maintained.
The position for national chairman of the party became vacant following the resignation of Ahmad Adamu Muazu in May. Following Muazu’s resignation and in line with Sections 45 (2) of the PDP’s constitution as amended in 2012, the deputy national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, took over in acting capacity
Report has it that intense lobbying was going on between those from the North-East and others who
are seeking out other members of the NEC to convince them to support their position.
According to a highly reliable party source, some persons from the North-East brought in the sum of N200 million and have been distributing this money as bribe to key NEC members since Wednesday night to ensure that they voted for a candidate of their choice from the geo-political zone.
A prominent member from the North-east is said to be responsible for the distribution of the largesse.
Another source disclosed that the council is divided between those who want Secondus and those who would rather have a replacement chosen from among the members from the North-East to complete Muazu’s tenure.
Those in support of Secondus want him to continue in office until the expiration of the current National Working Committee in March next year after which a new national chairman would be elected.
They are of the opinion that bringing in a new national chairman to serve for only five months is not in the best interest of the party.
One of the supporters of Secondus pointed out that using bribe to cajole people to support the North-East is against the new spirit in the party, which is in dire need of cleaning up its image in the eyes of the public.
He added that if a new chairman emerged through bribery, the generality of party members would not support him and it may jeopardise the fortunes of the party in coming elections.
The PDP would be holding its NEC meeting today. The meeting is the first since the party lost the March 28 presidential election to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
There is a battle for the chairmanship of the party. Former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed is seeking to take over from Secondus, who does not want to relinquish office before the national convention of the party billed for March 2016.
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