The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has fixed August 17 for a fresh national convention to elect new executives to run the party’s affairs.
The convention is slated for Port Harcourt, Rivers State.The party has also zoned the chairmanship position to the Southern part of the country, while the 2019 presidential ticket will still go to the North.
However, it was not stated which zone in the South will produce the chairman out of the three contending zones of Southeast, Southwest and South-south.
Rising from an enlarged meeting of critical organs and stakeholders in Abuja on Thursday, the party announced the setting aside of the previous zoning arrangements for its national executive positions.
Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting, the Chairman of the PDP caretaker committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, said a new zoning arrangement would be announced in 48 hours.
Conspicuous at the meeting was Senator Buruji Kashamu, a prominent chieftain in the rival Ali Modu Sheriff camp.
Makarfi specially announced Kashamu’s presence, stating gleefully that the presence of the Ogun State born politician was an indication that the two camps have closed ranks.
Sheriff did not attend the meeting and there was no explanation for his absence.
Kashamu declined comments on the state of affairs in the Sheriff camp, as he tactically avoided questions from journalists.
“The presence of Senator Kashamu at this meeting is enough evidence that we are making progress and that we have not foreclosed the option of reconciliation,” Makarfi said.
Makarfi, who chaired the meeting, further stated that the party had proposed amendments to its constitution to reflect recent court pronouncements regarding certain sections.
The former Kaduna State governor also announced the setting up of a special committee to reconcile the various contending groups in the Southwest zone.
The committee, which is headed by the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu is expected to commence its assignment in the days ahead. (The Nation)
