There appear a new divide brewing within the embattled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) beyond the divide created by the notorious former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sherrif and his quest to hold on to power at the realm of the PDP. According to information available to 247ureports.com, the PDP may not survive the developing fault lines if it is allowed to develop into a fully visible divide. The latest threat to the party emanates from interests and agendas within the Board of Trustees against the interests and agendas of the National Executive Council of the party.
The recent relocation of the PDP convention from its original venue in Port Harcourt, Rivers State to the supposed new venue in Abuja – which was decided by the Board of Trustees (BOT) is reported to come amidst new internal tussle for control of the party. The BOT’s decision is reported to be based on a hidden agenda pedaled by select Northern elements who are not comfortable with the renewed influence of the south south and south east region in the decision making apparatus of the party. The same sentiment is reported to have led to the removal of Governor of Rivers State, Barrister Nyesom Wike as the head of the convention planning committee.
The fascinating aspect of the BOT decision is that the BOT has no constitutional powers within the PDP constitution to make decisions. The PDP constitution only affords the board with advisory role.
When 247ureports.com sought for further clarification from members of the National executive Council it became obvious that the NEC in itself is divided on the issue.
One of the more influential NEC officials told our Correspondent that the BOT had not taken any decision about the relocation of the venue and the removal of Governor Nyesom Wike. “They only set the agenda” said the NEC official. “They must have spoken to Wike before taking such a move and Wike must have been okay with it“. The official insisted that the move by the BOT was for peace sake and not merely to bow to Sheriff’s demands. He added also that the BOT had to act because of the difficulty of calling for a NEC meeting. “Who will call the NEC meeting? The Makarfi group or the Sheriff group?” asked the NEC official as he explained that it made be difficult to convene a NEC meeting. “What we want is peace, we are tired of fighting“. He added that the relocation of the convention venue was necessary as not to make it seem as though the party belongs to Gov Wike. “We have done events there three times in a row“.
But another member of the NEC who also spoke to 247ureports.com had a different take on the unfolding problem. He claims the BOT members are pushing a hidden agenda – that they have candidates they want to hoist over the PDP to take up sensitive positions in the party. The BOT to that effect wants an early Convention and an early election. To them, further delay can be bad because it may lead to introduction of better and more qualified candidates. They do not want to wait for the one year. The NEC official claims that the recent court judgement had already barred Sheriff from parading himself as the PDP chairman. “The judgement was clear, so why can’t Makarfi call for NEC meeting?” He asked while pointing out that something immoral or illegal must be stopping the NEC from seating. “I don’t understand why they have chosen to bow to Sheriff especially since it has been established that Sheriff has become a mole for the Buhari administration“.
The NEC who appeared physically upset while talking about the PDP situation added that the same people fighting the continued stay of Sheriff were the same people that lobbied to have him become the PDP chairman. According to the official, the PDP governors in the persons of Fayose and Wike were the chief lobbyists behind the coming of Sheriff simply because he had promised to use his personal wealth to operate the affairs of the PDP. The PDP governors were not readily willing to finance the party operations. “Can you imagine”? It ended up that Sheriff did not make available the said funds to operate the party.
The NEC is said to be prepping to convene a meeting in the coming days.
