Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has fired a shot at Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for saying that Chief Dan Orbih, the chairman of the South South zonal, should not be fired ahead of the PDP’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
Speaking to the media last week, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba responded to Wike’s demand that Chief Orbih be recognised as the PDP National Vice Chairman, South South. He explained that the party, in accordance with its rules, established a committee in March after the South South Zonal Working Committee’s term ended, led by Elder Emma Ogidi, pending the holding of a zonal Congress.
Join our WhatsApp community
The opposition spokesperson insisted that the PDP would not accept any conditions from anyone and would continue to operate in accordance with its constitution.
Meanwhile, Makinde further confirmed that NEC will make a decision on zoning and other issues during its meeting on Monday. Asked if the issue of micro zoning was discussed, he said: “A decision is coming and it is a NEC decision. This consultative meeting is not something that is statutory in the constitution of PDP. But democracy is inclusivity, reaching out and ensuring that all stakeholders are carried along, which is what we’ve done today.”
On how soon a decision on zoning is expected, Makinde said: “NEC is on Monday. Today is Thursday. Our NEC is on Monday, you will definitely have a decision.”
Also Recommended: Southern PDP Govs, others in exclusive meeting over zoning
Makinde assured that the PDP is focused on ensuring its survival and said the caliber of those who attended the meeting is an indication that the party is still vibrant.
“We have just finished the consultative meeting of the PDP zoning committee for the south. The south has taken far-reaching decisions, and in the days ahead leading to our NEC, wider consultations will also take place, and we are sure that those that have been saying all around that PDP is dead and is now a carcass, at least with the caliber of the people that you’ve seen here, sitting governors, former governors, leaders and elders, the former senate president, chairman of BOT, are all here and committed to PDP taking back its rightful position in Nigeria. So, in the days ahead, some of the things discussed here, you’ll see them unfold.
“Governor Ademola Adeleke came back into this country and he went straight to Osogbo to address some governance issues. But he said whatever we decide here is with us.
“Governor Douye Diri is here. Governor Peter Mbah, who couldn’t make it physically sent the deputy governor. You have the chairman of our board of trustees here. You also have at least 12 of the 17 members of the zoning committee from the south. It’s one per state. So you have 12 states here. You have in each zone, you have House of Representatives members here. You have senators from each zone in the south, the three zones.
Join our WhatsApp community
“You have BoT members from the three zones in the south. So, yes, I won’t say maybe the organisers will score 100 percent. You don’t score 100 percent in politics and quite frankly, they are members of PDP. Consultation means you keep reaching out. We will also reach out and engage and even do more. We’re trying to get all stakeholders, all tendencies in the PDP together so that we can give a credible alternative to Nigerians in the years ahead.”
They pledged to protect the PDP’s integrity and make sure that all zoning decisions were made through appropriate consultation, openness, and inclusivity as stewards of their members’ mandate. They called the contentious meeting unlawful and polarising and encouraged the National Working Committee (NWC), the National Executive Committee (NEC), and all party stakeholders to ignore its conclusions.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
