A fresh crisis appeared to be looming in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the choice of venue to elect the party’s Presidential candidate as both the National Working Committee (NWC) and its Board of Trustee (BOT) on Monday openly disagreed on the choice of Port- Harcourt, Rivers State being proposed.
While speaking yesterday at the official inauguration of the Party’s National convention Planning Committee in Abuja, its National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus who was represented by Deputy National Chairman South, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi disclosed that the party organs have unanimously agreed on Rivers state, Port Harcourt to be the venue of the committee.
According to him, “On the issue of venue, the party set up a committee headed by Senator Ambassador Ibrahim Kazaure, and they went round the South-South Zone and South East Zone before coming out with the choice of Port Harcourt for us.
“In acceptance, the National Working Committee (NWC) has consulted widely with the PDP Governors forum, we have consulted widely with the BOT, we have consulted widely with the caucus of the party and today it has been jointly accepted that we will converge in Port Harcourt for the National Convention.
“The international community has told us that they want to watch keenly the Port Harcourt Convention. Particularly, they said they want to come and watch the process the will lead to the emergence of our flag bearer because by the grace of God, our flag bearer will be the next President of Nigeria’.
However, in a swift reaction to the submission, the BOT Chairman, Senator Walid Jubrin debunked that Port Harcourt has been agreed on as the venue for the convention, saying, “Even though the Deputy Chairman said the issue of venue has been concluded, I want to say that the issue of venue is still on and is not concluded.
“Because there are many suggestions on the issue of venue. We look at all suggestions. I assure you that the issue of venue will be resolved.
“But for now we are working around the clock to ensure that we have a very suitable venue accepted by everybody. I want to say that every one of us should come together and ensure that we have a venue suitable to all of us”.
Reacting to this, the Chairman of the PDP National Convention Planning Committee, the governor of Delta state, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa said, “I also want to believe that if there are any internal issues, it will be resolved within today. I am very confident of that. Because all of us believe that the only way forward is for the entirety of the party to stay united and focused.
“And as such, as members of the PDP, we cannot afford to disagree on any issues. The thing that is needed is for a free and fair primary to be conducted for all our aspirants. And we are very definite that we will get it right. No matter where we take it to, we will do what is right. And I believe that at the end of the day, nobody will have any cause to complain.
“We do understand that the assignment that you have given us is about the most important assignment in the history of this party, at least for this year. We are very much aware that if we get this convention right and when the processes are such that they are credible, free and fair, we will definitely have the buy-in of all our presidential aspirants and we will now have a united family.
Some members of the 85 members committee include, Secretary of the Committee, governor of Ebonyi state Engr Dave Umahi, former Niger state governor, Babangida Aliyu, Senator Ben Bruce, former governor of Ebonyi state, Gabriel Susan amongst others.