… Governor Ugwuanyi Chairs Zoning Committee.

… Inaugurates Anambra Governorship Campaign Council.

After a crisis threatening its survival, the National Executive Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) successfully pulled back from the brink on Thursday by constituting a high-powered National Convention Planning Committee to be chaired by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa state. The committee will organise the October convention that will produce a brand new National Working Committee.

He will be supported by Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa of Bayelsa state as deputy and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state is as the secretary.

The PDP is, however, yet to resolve the knotty issue of zoning of party offices and presidential candidates but has constituted a zoning committee to be chaired by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state with Benue state Governor Samuel Ortom as deputy chairman and Zamfara state Deputy Governor Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed serving as the secretary.

Developments from the NEC meeting would suggest that the PDP Governors may have assumed control of the Party in order to still all storms. The NEC meeting was preceded by a meeting of the Governors where it is believed most of the decisions was taken.

The appointment of Fintiri may, however, have generated a little controversy as some members kicked on the ground that he’s an ally of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, believed to still nurse presidential ambition. Atiku is also from Adamawa state.

Briefing the media at the end of the NEC meeting, presided over by its Deputy National Chairman (south), Elder Yemi Akinwonmi, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbodiyan 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.”

Inaugurating Anambra state governorship campaign council headed by Abia state governor, Okezie Ipkiazu earlier, the acting National Chairman, Akinwonmi disclosed that the selection and choice of the national campaign council members were carefully made after an extensive and intensive consultation across all strata of PDP.

“The leadership of PDP has the highest optimism that the membership is capable and competent to deliver Anambra back to PDP come November 6,2021. Anambra will fall for PDP.

“I call on all members of the Council and Ndi Anambra to close ranks and deliver the state to PDP family. The cooperation of all and sundry is expected for the actualization of PDP’s dream. I would like to seize this opportunity to appreciate on behalf of the PDP, all the aspirants, who contested the primaries with the candidate; your spirit of sportsmanship is wonderful.

“I call on you to kindly hold hands together to deliver Anambra to PDP. We call on all of us to set aside our differences, and look at the PDP and Nigeria above any personal consideration. Anambra is winnable for PDP,” he said.

The governor of Delta state, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said that PDP is set to win the elections in Anambra state.

“We have had very useful discussions with our candidates and also the chairman of the local campaign Council in Anambra State. Anambra had always been populated by the PDP. Unfortunately, because of one issue or the other we have always run into problems.

“We want to reassure the party that we are going to put in all, to ensure that we reconcile everyone, and that we go into that election as one body. And that definitely we’re going to win that election by the special grace of God.

“We know our people in Anambra, we know that they are party people, we know also that there have been issues in the past, that those issues that divide us. We are going to work day and night to ensure that we all step out from our comfort zones and step into the field to talk to the people, and to win back all who have left the party, as much as possible,” he said.