Introduction to the Crisis
A fresh crisis is brewing in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as federal lawmakers from the Southeast have threatened to boycott the party’s forthcoming national convention in Ibadan over alleged moves to rezone the position of National Woman Leader from the Southeast to the South South.
Background of the Crisis
The lawmakers, led by the member representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of masterminding the plan to alter the existing zoning arrangement, saying it is an attempt to humiliate and alienate the Southeast within the party. They warned that the PDP risks further internal disunity and mass defections if the purported plan is not reversed before the screening exercise scheduled for next week.
The Zoning Dispute
Ugochinyere, who spoke on behalf of the lawmakers in Abuja, said the position was originally zoned to the Southeast, with Imo State expected to produce the next National Woman Leader. He explained that the current Southeast Zonal Woman Leader, Ifeyinwa Arodiogbu, was unanimously backed by PDP stakeholders in the region to clinch the position before Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu, now in the All Progressives Congress (APC), allegedly influenced the zoning to his state.
The Impact of Defection on Zoning
He said Mbah’s defection to the ruling party has rendered the earlier arrangement invalid, giving Imo State a legitimate claim to the position. Ugochinyere disclosed that the lawmakers would issue a disclaimer against the convention in two weeks and would not participate if Imo State and the Southeast are humiliated.
Threats and Consequences
According to him, there is still time to remedy the situation before Tuesday next week’s screening, adding that “no elected lawmaker from the region would remain in the PDP if the impending insult is allowed to happen.” He said: “We don’t want to see PDP suffer more setbacks. Still, we will stick to our position on the Ibadan convention if, in the next few weeks, the position of National Woman Leader is not ceded expressly to Imo State and an Imo person is allowed to emerge.
Call for Intervention
The lawmakers appealed to Makinde and Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to intervene and ensure that the Southeast retains the position. Ugochinyere cautioned that any attempt to tamper with the agreed zoning formula could worsen the PDP’s already fragile internal cohesion, saying, “If this injustice is allowed to stand, no elected lawmaker from the Southeast will remain in the PDP. We will also issue a disclaimer against the convention.”
Conclusion
The crisis brewing in the PDP over the zoning of the National Woman Leader position has the potential to further destabilize the party. The Southeast lawmakers are adamant that the position should be ceded to Imo State, and any attempt to alter this arrangement could lead to mass defections and a boycott of the national convention. The party leaders must intervene to resolve this issue amicably to prevent further internal disunity.
FAQs
- Q: What is the crisis in the PDP about?
A: The crisis is about the zoning of the National Woman Leader position, which the Southeast lawmakers claim was originally zoned to their region. - Q: Who is accused of masterminding the plan to alter the zoning arrangement?
A: Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is accused of masterminding the plan. - Q: What will happen if the zoning arrangement is not reversed?
A: The Southeast lawmakers have threatened to boycott the national convention and issue a disclaimer against it. - Q: Who are the lawmakers appealing to for intervention?
A: The lawmakers are appealing to Makinde and Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to intervene and ensure that the Southeast retains the position.
