Ahead of its forthcoming national convention, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing fresh internal tension as prominent stakeholders, led by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, tabled a six-point demand before the National Working Committee (NWC).
The demands were outlined on Monday night after a meeting at Wike’s Abuja residence, attended by former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), and PDP National Secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu.
In a communiqué signed by Ortom, the group warned that any convention held without addressing their concerns would be deemed invalid, stressing that “legitimate members of the party would be disenfranchised.”
Among their demands are:
“Fresh congresses in Ebonyi and Anambra states in line with subsisting court rulings.
“A new South-East zonal congress.
“Full recognition of the South-South congress held in Calabar, already upheld by the courts.
“Immediate conduct of Ekiti LGA congresses in compliance with judicial pronouncements.
“No micro-zoning beyond the general zoning formula adopted by the National Executive Committee.
“Retention of the national chairmanship position in the North-Central, consistent with the 2021 arrangement.
The stakeholders maintained that the PDP must return to the path of equity, fairness, and inclusivity to remain a credible opposition platform.
“Unity cannot be built on disenfranchisement, exclusion, or the neglect of valid judicial pronouncements,” the communiqué read. “Only transparency and fairness will guarantee a credible convention.”
They cautioned the party leadership against ignoring judicial rulings and sidelining valid members, warning that doing so could plunge the PDP into another round of crisis.