From Ndubuisi Orji, Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

The intrigues and horse-trading in the Peoples Democratic Party continued, yesterday, as the opposition party at its 102 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting approved the zoning of its presidential ticket for the 2027 general election to the South and retained the existing zoning formula for National Working Committee (NWC) seats.

Apart from the national chairmanship, other positions in the North include deputy national chairman (North); National Organizing Secretary, National Treasurer, National Youth Leader and National Legal Adviser. The positions in the South are deputy national chairman( South), national secretary, deputy national secretary, national publicity secretary, national financial secretary, national auditor and national woman leader.

The NEC also confirmed the former deputy national chairman (North), Umar Damagum as substantive national chairman. Damagum has been acting since the ouster of former national chairman, Iyorochia Ayu. He is to serve until the national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Daily Sun gathered that the confirmation of Damagum  was part of the trade-offs, by party leaders, to ensure a hitch free na convention

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was conspicuously absent at the meeting. Nonetheless, his allies, including Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Samuel Ortom, former governors of Enugu and Oyo states respectively; minority leader, House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, former Senate Minority Leader, Philip Aduda participated in the NEC meeting.

Tension had heightened in the PDP in the last few weeks as warring groups disagreed over the national convention scheduled for Ibadan.

PDP Governors, led by Bauchi governor and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde on the one hand and Wike on the other hand, have been locked in a supremacy tussle. The tussle, which centered lately on the national secretary position, has polarised the different organs of the party.

After the resolution of the conflict, with the recognition of the FCT Minister’s ally, Anyanwu, as the national secretary, the NEC at its last meeting fixed the National Convention for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan.

Nonetheless, Wike in a television programme last week had denied knowledge of the opposition party’s plan to hold its next convention to elect new NWC members, saying that NEC was yet to meet to take any such decision. He vowed not to allow any act of impunity in the party.

Weeks earlier, the FCT Minister insisted that the failure party  to recognise the South South “zonal congress”, which produced Dan Orbih as “the national vice chairman” as well as its continued recognition of Ali Odefa, who was “expelled” by his ward, was a recipe for another crisis in the party.

However, the PDP spokesman, Debo Ologunagba, has continued to insist that the opposition party has always followed its rules and would continue to do so.

Prior to the commencement of yesterday’s NEC meeting at about 4.45pm, the PDP governors, the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and other leaders met for several hours at the national secretariat. Daily Sun gathered that during the parley, the leaders agreed to review the party structure in Anambra and Ebonyi states, as part of the political solution for the crisis in the South East chapter of the party.

It was gathered that during the pre-NEC parley, PDP governors and party elders got the NWC  to sign all relevant documents to notify the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) of its forthcoming convention.

Acommunique read by Ologunagba, stated that the party organ considered and approved the reporting of the National Zoning Committee chaired by the Bayelsa State Governor, Diri Douye. Consequently, the party mandated the North and South to immediately micro-zone the NWC seats ceded to them among the various geo-political zones.

The communique read in part “NEC received and after extensive deliberation approved the report of the National Convention Zoning Committee which recommended as follows: “That all PDP National Office positions currently in the Northern Region of the country remain in the Northern Region.

That all PDP National Office positions currently in the Southern Region of the country remain in the Southern Region.

“That having retained the position of the National Chairman in the Northern Region of the country, the Presidential Candidate of the Party for the 2027 General Election is hereby zoned to the Southern Region.

“That the Regions should immediately micro-zone positions within its Region for implementation.”

Earlier, Damagum, in his opening speech, before the meeting went into an executive session said the NEC meeting will define the PDP preparation for its national convention, in the run-up to the 2027 polls. “Since our last meeting, our party has continued to show resilience and focus, even in the face of daunting national challenges. Nigerians are looking up to the PDP not only as the strongest opposition party but as the only credible alternative, capable of restoring hope, equity, and justice to the Nigerian people.

“The confidence reposed in us is a reminder of the weight of responsibility we carry as a party and of the need to remain united and disciplined as we march towards the future.

“From one convention to the next, the PDP has consistently shown that internal democracy, inclusivity, and respect for collective decision-making remain our guiding principles.

“This NEC, therefore, stands at a defining moment as we prepare for the next National Convention where the leadership that will steer our party into the 2027 elections will emerge.”

Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees ( BoT), Adolphus Wabara  said there is need for reconciliation, unity and inclusion in the opposition party, ahead of the 2027 general election.

Wabara, who was represented by the Secretary, BoT, Ahmed Makarfi, said the success of the PDP in the 2027 polls is dependent on the unity of the party. He added that the strength of the opposition party has always been its diversity and ability to reconcile  differences amongst  its members in the interest of the greater good.

He noted that the country is bleeding, while the citizens are looking up to the PDP for salvation. Nonetheless, the opposition leader said the ability of the party to meet the aspirations of Nigerians in the 2027 polls lies in the ability to close ranks and make sacrifices.

According to him, the hopes of millions of sovereign Nigerians are tied to our collective capacity to build, to reconcile and to position this party ahead of 2027. “Our country is bleeding. The masses are suffering. They look unto the PDP to bring succor, to restore hope and to offer leadership that heals. This burden of expectation should inspire us to give our best and even more for the sake of our nation.

“Once again, the hopes of millions of sovereign Nigerians are tied to our collective capacity to build, to reconcile and to position this party ahead of 2027.”

“However, if we are to succeed in 2027 we must embrace three truths: First on the question of unity and progress. Unity is not a mere slogan. Rather, it is the lifeblood of any political organization. Without unity, progress is stunted. Without unity, victory is elusive.

“Our strength has always been drawn from our diversity, our ability to disagree without division and to reconcile in the interest of the greater good.  As elders, leaders and members of the party, we must once again rise to that standard.

“Secondly, the spirit of sacrifice. We must be honest with ourselves. Reclaiming victory in 2027 will demand more than rhetoric. It will demand sacrifice in exchange for the collective interest of the party and more important the Nigerian people.

“Third, reconciliation and inclusion. We know that over time, some of our members, due to one grievance or another, have strayed away, in self-imposed exile. Today, as elders of the party, we must extend a hand of the new reconciliation. This does not mean abandoning our principles. Rather, it means applying wisdom and flexibility to how we enforce our rules.”

Wabara added that the PDP must approach its forthcoming national convention with the spirit of unity, reconciliation and inclusion, as no political group thrives on exclusion.

According to him, no political family thrives on endless exclusion. “If we are to stand strong in 2027 we must make room for healing and for fresh beginnings.

“This convention must reflect the spirit of unity, sacrifice and inclusion that we preach here today, it will be our chance to renew leadership, strengthen our structures, and send a powerful signal that the PDP is ready for 2027

“Distinguished leaders, the road to 2027 will not be easy, but if we unite, if we embrace sacrifice, if we open our doors in reconciliation, there is no doubt in my mind that the PDP will once again rise as the hope of Nigerians.

“Let us leave this meeting with the spirit of determination, solidarity and faith in our great party together. Let us write the next chapter of the PDP together. Let us march towards 2027 as one united family, ready to restore Nigeria to the path of greatness.”

The chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Bala Mohammed, while addressing the NEC, said all contentious issues has been resolved by governors and party elders.

Mohammed, who is also the Bauchi State governor, disclosed that the NWC has signed all the communications to the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC), in respect to the national convention.

“We are really navigating the temptations and also some of the challenges that most of you are aware of, the challenges even within the National Working Committee, so that we can cautiously and cleverly navigate to convention.

“All the remaining issues of the various congresses have been resolved by the Working Committee with the help of the governors and other elders.

“Today, I would say that all the communications to INEC have been signed by our National Working Committee and that we don’t have any determining issue. So,  we are navigating and we are working very well, and of course, we will do our best to ensure that this party remains united.”

Regardless, he said the party is aware of alleged  plans to infiltrate its state chapters, and admonished party leaders to be on the guard, so that no one causes division among them.

“We have had some remote information that some of our party leaders at the state level may be penetrated by security agencies,  so that they can cause dis-affection. So please, we must remain united,” the governor stated.

Meanwhile, supporters of  former presidential candidate and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain,  Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, stormed Wadata Plaza, venue of the NEC meeting, demanding that he declares interest in the 2027 presidential election.

The crowd carried bold banners and sang solidarity songs in support of the politician, and were  coordinated by three major support groups: Hashim Unity Group, The Hashims, and Hashim Advocates.

The group leaders noted  Hashim embodies the finest qualities of leadership and  integrity, as well  as a consistent track record of advocacy for democracy and good governance.