PDP govs store for Secondus’ replacement

By ‘Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor

• Atiku camp rallies support for embattled chair

• Zoning continues to be important element in preference of new chief

The second term ambition of the countrywide chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, seems to have endured a key setback.

This followed indications that governors elected on the platform of the opposition get together could have finally determined to have him replaced in advance of the 2023 presidential election.

It was learnt that the governors want the Rivers State-born politician out pursuing the exit of Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi Point out from the celebration and mounting speculations that a lot more of their colleagues may possibly depart the celebration more than issues relating to Secondus’ dealing with of the zoning discussion that has rocked the opposition party for a even though.

In accordance to incredibly trustworthy resources, the governors arrived at a conclusion for the duration of the 7 days subsequent revelations that quite a few chieftains of the PDP, which includes governors, Nationwide Assembly associates and other eminent party chiefs, who are less than force from the national caretaker management of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to defect, are biding time above the predicted management alter prior to earning up their minds on what ways to just take.

Umahi, who dumped the PDP very last month, had claimed he moved to the APC since of the injustice meted out to the Southeast by the PDP.

“It is absurd that due to the fact 1999 going to 2023, the Southeast will in no way be thought of to run for presidency less than the PDP. And this is my position and will continue to be my posture. It experienced very little to do with me or my ambition,” the Ebonyi Condition governor stated.

The exit of the governor as perfectly as growing speculations of imminent mass defection is leading to ripples in the PDP.

The developments are getting blamed on the equally escalating agitations more than zoning in just the bash, and some governors are explained to have previously solved that only Secondus’ ouster would restore sanity to the embattled opposition party.

The Nation collected that at a conference through the week, the PDP governors made the decision to start the search for a credible replacement for the countrywide chairman.

According to inside of resources, a few of the governors achieved in Abuja while other individuals joined them on the zoom system to focus on the destiny of their embattled countrywide chairman and the Nationwide Working Committee (NWC).

A source claimed: “With the tenure of the present-day NWC of the PDP ending this month, it became needed for organs of the party to discuss what will become of Secondus and his group.

“Of training course, the national chairman is not hiding his motivation to stay in place of work for one more term, but it appears vast majority of the governors elected on the platform of our bash are not in agreement with his plans.

“As it is, the governors are browsing for a alternative for him.

“Some causes have been adduced for their selection to transform the nationwide leadership of the get together.

“There are those people who argue that in line with the zoning basic principle of the occasion, Secondus need to give way for a northerner to emerge as the countrywide chairman of the PDP so as to greatly enhance the emergence of a southerner as the party’s presidential flag bearer in the 2023 typical elections.

“Similarly, a variety of the governors are of the belief that the incumbent countrywide chairman are unable to realize a no cost, fair and credible social gathering most important for the 2023 presidential ticket presented what they describe as his apparent help for a certain presidential aspirant and his group in just the PDP.

“Hence, they want Secondus to vacate the seat upon the expiration of his phrase later this month.”

Apart from serving as an Performing Countrywide Chairman in between 2015 and 2016, Secondus assumed workplace on December 10, 2017. His 4-12 months tenure finishes this month.

Quite a few bash chieftains have faulted his managing of the zoning debates though some have overtly accused him of opposing the clamour for the south to create the upcoming presidential prospect of the PDP.

Last week, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers Condition castigated the Secodus-led NWC for allegedly deepening the cracks in the celebration.

Wike, who was the chief sponsor of Secondus for the position in 2017, was notably irked that the NWC was sowing seeds of discord among the PDP governors and jeopardising the party’s odds in advance of the 2023 presidential race.

He claimed that as an alternative of focusing on tactics on how to just take advantage of the alleged escalating disenchantment with the APC federal government, the PDP-NWC was chaotic creating crises amongst governors, working with two former governors of Imo and Cross River states and a existing senator from Benue State.

Wike stated: “I will not allow any one to eliminate PDP. They have ability to move to APC I really don’t and I cannot transfer to APC.

“An opposition get together that ought to be united, to operate, to get over the affairs of authorities simply because folks are ready for this prospect, but the present-day management of NWC is not ready for that.

“Rather, what they have done is to represent some men and women to sow a seed of discord between governors for their own egocentric interest. And that will boomerang that will consume them.”

The Country gathered that a committee has been place in put by the stated governors to take into account some names that have been place forward as achievable replacements for Secondus ahead of an elective convention of the PDP in a make any difference of weeks.

“There is a resolution by the governors to oppose any additional delay to an elective convention. A committee is also in position now to study some achievable candidates for the occupation of countrywide chairman,” a reliable resource reported.

Nevertheless, it was also collected that the governors have been nonetheless to be on a person page with regard to exactly where the following countrywide chairman must arrive from.

Although some feel that the placement need to be zoned to the north in readiness for the party’s zoning of its presidential ticket to the south, other individuals want it thrown open up so that the quite most effective applicant can emerge as the national chairman, irrespective of zoning.

“It is even now unclear if the governors will agree on zoning the place. As it is now, there are two educational institutions of thoughts on the issue – individuals who want the place zoned to the north in readiness for the party’s zoning of its presidential ticket to the south and people who want it thrown open up so that the incredibly most effective applicant can arise as the nationwide chairman, irrespective of zoning,” the source added.

In the meantime, it was learnt that Secondus is not without assistance inside of the bash as the struggle for his seat rages.

In accordance to conclusions produced by The Country, even between PDP governors, the embattled countrywide chairman however enjoys the guidance of a few.

A zonal officer of the social gathering in the Southeast said: “He has a robust governor supporting him in the Northeast and an additional in the South-south. And at the moment, he has the aid of the vast majority of the incumbent users of the NWC. The Atiku political camp within just the PDP also feels Secondus should proceed in business.

“With indications rising that the former vice president may possibly be reviving his machinery forward of the 2023 presidential contest, his guys are also rallying assist for Secondus across the region.

“Many point out chairmen of the social gathering, specifically in the Southwest, are solidly powering the nationwide chairman in his quest for one more phrase.

“Also, some former PDP governors, led by a former Southwest governor, not too long ago satisfied in Lagos to manner out the modalities that will see Secondus keep his seat beyond 2020.

“There are talks that these men and women and some others like them are functioning for the emergence of Atiku as the party’s presidential flag bearer in 2023.”