The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commenced plans to hold a mini-convention in January or February to elect a new National Chairman, Secretary and Women Leader.
Sources said this was part of plan to reposition the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The seats became vacant in different circumstances. The erstwhile national chairman Dr Iyorchia Ayu, was removed while the position of the national secretary has been a bone of contention between the party’s National Working Committee and its South East Caucus. The position of National Woman Leader became vacant due to the death of Prof. Stella Effah-Attoe.
Ayu, who had gone to court to challenge his suspension by the Igyorov Ward executive of PDP in Gboko LGA of Benue State, was prevailed upon to withdraw the case.
Recently, the acting National Chairman of the party, Amb. Umar Damagum, announced the appointment of Setonji Koshoedo as the acting National Secretary following the impasse over the position between the NWC and South East PDP Caucus.
The South East Caucus had appointed Udeh Okoye in the absence of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the then secretary, when he won the nomination of the party to contest the November 11 Imo governorship.
Having lost at the polls, Anyanwu and Okoye are now laying claim to the position, a development that added to the mounting challenges in the party. The NWC had to interven by asking both parties to stand down.
The party, having zoned the position to the South East, might be forced to go for a neutral candidate for the position at the convention.
Chairmanship to remain in North Central
Meanwhile, among those angling to replace Ayu as party chairman are former Senate President Bukola Saraki and Senator Gabriel Suswam, a former Governor of Benue State. Both are from the North Central where Ayu hails from.
Sources said the recent meetings between Senator Saraki and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, were part of the move to position Saraki for the party’s top job.
However, those working for Suswam are said to be insisting that the chairman of the party must remain in Benue, for the state to complete the tenure of Ayu who is also from the state.
Those working to stabilise the party following an acrimonious presidential primary, campaigns and loss of the elections, are expected to put their acts together to determine where the pendulum will swing during the mini-convention.
Secretary’s position a constitutional matter – NWC member
On the impasse surrounding the position of national secretary, Timothy Osadolor, a member of the NWC said it is a constitutional matter.
“It is only when a man takes up appointment or resumes another office by way of winning election that he automatically stops to function in the NWC. The constitution did not say if you want to contest election, you must resign.”
Osadolor, who is also the Deputy National Youth Leader, said, “Anyanwu did not take up any appointment, he did not win election, if he had won the election, it would be a different thing.
“The constitution did not say that you must resign if you are going to contest election. If they feel very strongly about their position, there are constitutional ways to go about it.”
“For those in the South East that are saying they have removed him, the position was zoned to the South East and micro-zoned to Imo State, but there is nowhere in the constitution that says a zonal caucus can remove a member of the NEC or NWC, it is alien to our constitution.
“They might not like Samuel Anyanwu, but the issue is a constitutional matter.”