*As Fintri chairs Convention Committee *Party silent on Secondus
By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
In a last minute effort to realign all dissident voices ahead of the 2023 general election, the leading opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed the Enugu State Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as chairman of the committee to determine where its next national chairman should emerge from.
aAlso, his Adamawa State counterpart, Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri, was appointed the chairman of the PDP National Convention Planning Committee
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen on the resolutions of the 93rd National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of PDP at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said that NEC also appointed the the Governor of Bayelsa State, Sen. Douye Diri, as the Deputy Chairman of the National Convention Organizing Committee, while the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde will serve as secretary of the committee.
Similarly, the Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom, was appointed as the Deputy Chairman of the Zoning Committee while the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Barr Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed is the Secretary of the committee.
He said, “NEC met today to further discuss critical issues concerning the party. NEC commends the efforts of the National Working Committee, the PDP Governors’ Forum, the Board of Trustees (BoT), the national assembly caucus and other stakeholders in resolving the challenges confronting the party.
“NEC approved the composition of the national convention planning committee as well as the zoning committee to zone national working committee offices.
“NEC approved Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the Governor of Adamawa State as Chairman, 2021 national convention organizing committee.
“Senator Douye Diri, the Governor of Bayelsa State is deputy chairman of the committee, while Engr Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State is to serve as secretary.
“NEC approved Rt Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Governor of Enugu state as chairman of zoning committee.
“Dr Samuel Ortom, the Governor of Benue State is deputy chairman and Barr. Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed is the secretary of the committee.
“NEC charged the committees to work hard to ensure the successful conduct of the national convention.
“NEC received the report of the Senator David Mark committee, which is intervening in certain issues relating to the leadership challenges in our party.
“The David Mark committee assured that efforts are on to resolve all court matters.
“NEC thanks Nigerians for the confidence they repose in the PDP and for the solidarity and support they have collectively shown our party at this trying time.”
The party’s spokesperson said that the fate of the embalmed National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus was not tabled for discussion just as NEC did not deliberate on the time lime for the various committees to turn in its report.
Speaking earlier during the opening session, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar affirmed that PDP is the only platform that can go through the series of challenges it witnessed recently and not break up.
He praised the party members for their steadfastness to democracy and the rule of law.
He commended all organs of the party particularly the PDP Governors Forum, for the leadership they have provided for the PDP during the recent crisis.
Also in his address, the Acting chariman of the party, Chief Akinwonmi, said the essence of Thursday’s NEC was to approve the committees that had been agreed upon during the last NEC meeting.
He admonished that the success of the October convention would bring success to the country at large.
The chairman of the PDP Governors Forum and the Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, reassured that governors under the party’s umbrella would work together to bring victory to the party in 2023.
