PDP elders planning consensus candidate for chairmanship

THE ongoing race for the national chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might end up on the consensus table, sources within the party have told Tribune Online. 

Investigations at the weekend indicated that some elders of the party across the country had resolved to intervene in the process at the right time, to stem an all-comers affair for the chairmanship race.

Some elders were said to have started studying the situation with a view to ensuring that the party came out stronger at the end of the November 9 convention.

A tough contest appeared to have been kickstarted within the ranks of PDP members as the South South stood up to the South-West in the race for the party’s number one position.

While aspirants from the South West believed that the position should be left for the zone, those from the South-South had insisted that the position could not be micro zoned to the South West.

The quest by the South-South became intense following the entry of the former acting national chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus, into the race.

Besides Secondus, Chief Raymond Dokpesi is also seeking the top job from the South South.

Those in the race from the South West included a former deputy national chairman of the party, Chief Olabode George; a former Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Professor Tunde Adeniran; former Minister of Special Duties, Professor Taoheed Adedoja; former Ogun State governor, Chief Gbenga Daniel and former governorship candidate of the PDP in Lagos state, Mr Jimi Agbaje.

“We are observing the campaigns and the elders are of the view that if there is no intervention to ensure consensus, things might go out of hand,” a source in the party said.

It was gathered that the elders were afraid a candidate sponsored from “outside” the party might emerge if things were not straightened before the national convention.

It was also gathered that the elders, who were of the view that the leaders of the South-West could not get the desired consensus believed that leaders from across the country would do the needful.

“If care is not taken, the South-South might nick it, but we all have to be sure that such a decision will not threaten party unity and cohesion. As things are, there is no guarantee such a decision will not threaten party unity.

“That leaves the South-West in the best position to nick the position, but the rancorous voices coming from the zone is not in anyway helping its quest,” a source stated.