There are suspected moves to relocate the south-south zonal secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from Port Harcourt, Rivers State to Akwa Ibom State.
The suspicion arose after the Zonal Organizing Secretary, Ekom Akonjom, stated in a report released after the party’s meeting, that the zonal consultative meeting, which has always been held in Port Harcourt, is to be held in Akwa Ibom State.
Recall that there is still a lingering strife between the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, and the party’s presidential flag bearer, Atiku Abubakar, over the nomination of the Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, as his running mate.
However, in order to reconcile this matter, the allies of Wike, which include the Abia State, Benue State, Enugu State and Oyo State Governors, have asked that the party’s national chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, be replaced.
Meanwhile, the PDP has been accused of attempts to sideline Wike, as it released its Presidential Campaign Council last week without assigning any role to him.
On the other hand, Akonjom has warned that no zonal meeting should be held outside the zonal headquarters, as it would be a breach of the party’s constitution.
The released report read in part:
“Worried by the unabating crises in the Party since the Presidential Primaries, and in appreciation of the need for unity and cohesion, particularly in the build-up to the 2023 General Elections, the Zonal Working Committee welcomes the idea of a National Zonal Consultative Tour.
“However, the Zonal Working Committee notes with grave concern, the fact that the consultative tour to the South South Zone is regrettably without justification, planned to hold outside the Zonal Head Quarters, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. This we resolve, is not acceptable to the Party leadership in the Zone as it is capable of further dividing leaders of the Party in the Zone.
“To this end, the Zonal Working Committee further resolves that the Consultative Tour of the Party should hold at the Zonal Headquarters, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. It is to be noted that holding any of such meeting outside the zonal headquarters will aggravate issues and not achieve the desired move for reconciliation, peace, and unity in the party.
“Further to the above, the Zonal Working Committee notes that by virtue of Section 31 (2) (d) of the Party’s Constitution 2017 (As amended), all organs of the Party are expected to function democratically.
“To this end, it should be noted that holding the South South Zonal Consultative Tour anywhere outside the Zonal Headquarters will amount to a breach of Section 31 (2) (d) of the Party’s Constitution, and the Zonal Working Committee will not be a party to any breach of the Party’s rules let alone its Constitution.
“The Zonal Working Committee resolves to henceforth, resist any action capable of deepening and; or widening the crises of confidence amongst leaders of the Party in the Zone.”
However, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, has in a phone interview, said that he has no idea that there are moves to relocate the south south zonal secretariat from Port Harcourt.
Credit: Daily Sun.
