politics
2023 ELECTION : PDP governors disagree over committee’s no-zoning report
… Secondus, Bauchi governor under attackThe committee was charged with the responsibility of investigating the party’s loss at the 2019 polls.
But its recommendation that aspirants from all the six geo-political zones in the country should feel free to seek the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 election has not gone down well with some influential governors from the party.
Some of the governors claim Bala Mohammed had an ulterior motive for calling for the cancellation of zoning after the South East had been made to believe that it was its turn to produce the presidential candidate in the next polls.
The revelation of the recommendation had sparked a flurry of protests from some quarters, especially the South East.
This development forced the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, to issue a statement that the recommendation was yet to be discussed and adopted by the party’s hierarchy.
But the statement by Ologbondiyan has not succeeded in assuaging the feelings of some members.
Reliable party sources said yesterday that the division created by the recommendation was festering by the day.
“Many governors are disappointed at the decision of the Bauchi governor to submit the report and even make its resolutions public,” one of the sources said.
“This is because the issue was already being debated among the governors prior to the submission of the report.
“The governors were not on the same page over what the party should do about zoning as regards the 2023 presidential ticket of the party.
“Even some members of the committee disagree with Governor Mohammed on the recommendation.”
Apart from Bala Mohammed, other members of the committee were the deputy national secretary of the party, Emmanuel Agbo who doubles as secretary of the panel; Sule Lamido and Tanimu Turaki, both representing North West; while Yakubu Dogara and Alhasan Muhammadu were selected from the North East.
The rest were Babangida Aliyu and Istafanus Gyang (North Central), Francis Nwaifuru and Austin Nnamani (South East) and Austin Okpara and Stella Omu South South.
It was gathered that the committee report does not enjoy the endorsement of a good number of the committee members.
One of the dissatisfied panelists said: “It is wrong for Governor Mohammed to have submitted that report because that wasn’t the position of all members of the committee.
“As at the time of the submission and publicizing of that report, opinions of committee members on the crucial issue of zoning and the 2023 presidential ticket were still sharply divided.
“I want you to go and ask members of the committee if truly we agreed that the PDP presidential ticket should be thrown open in 2023. We never did.
“The only thing I know is that some members openly expressed the need for the party to respect zoning while others want the party to consider the prevailing political factors as we approach 2023.
“At no time did the committee agree that zoning should be done away with. But it is obvious right from inception that the committee was being influenced by some external forces.”
Sources also said some governors, especially those from the south, accused the committee chairman and the national chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus of using the report to advance the 2023 chances of former vice President Abubakar Atiku.
“A governor from the southern part of the country has openly accused Governor Mohammed and Prince Secondus of using the report to favour Atiku,” said another source.
“The governor claimed that the report he received from his state’s representative on the committee is contrary to what Mohammed presented to Secondus.
“The governor also claimed that the PDP Governors’ Forum got wind of the report that was presented and following complaints by some governors, cautioned that the committee should desist from making such public.
“He alleged that the national chairman insisted that the presentation of the report should go on. It is our belief that the committee is being used to achieve a pre-meditated goal.
“The report is not the position of the committee as constituted, but the parochial view of a few members as encouraged by a partial arbiter,” our source claimed.
The Nation also gathered that PDP governors from the south may soon meet over the development.
They have also allegedly expressed concerns that the national leadership of the party is indulging the anti-zoning gladiators over and above those supporting the zoning arrangement.
A source said “dissatisfaction with the report is growing and threatening its relative peace. The issue of zoning is a crucial issue and we are afraid that some people are playing some funny games.
“The leadership of the party has repeatedly said the PDP will not take decision on zoning just yet. But what they did with the Mohammed report was to suggest a decision through the back door.
“Governors of the southern states and other stakeholders from the zone are not about to allow such pranks.
“Efforts are on to rally concerned chieftains of the party to get the matter discussed as soon as possible. I know the governors are also planning to meet over the matter.
“While some of them have expressed their objection to the report, others are waiting for a formal meeting to state their positions on the matter.”
Presenting the committee report in Abuja, Mohammed had said the exigencies of the moment demand that nothing should be compromised in choosing a leader with the attributes to reposition the country.
“Therefore, we think that every Nigerian, from every part of the country, should be given the opportunity to choose the best candidate, through a credible primary election as a way of institutionalising a merit-based leadership recruitment process, for the country,” he said.
politics
Update : Akwa Ibom Governor, Eno, Likens PDP to a Faulty Aircraft, Set to Declare Defection to APC
A former lawmaker, Otuekong Sunny Jackson Udoh has advised Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umoh Eno to show wisdom and magnanimity after his triumph at the Supreme Court last Thursday.
Gov Umo Eno
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has sparked speculation over a potential political realignment after openly questioning the viability of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a platform for his political aspirations beyond 2027.
Speaking at a constituency outreach meeting on Tuesday in Ikot Akpankuk, Ukanafun Local Government Area, the governor likened the PDP to a faulty aircraft, suggesting he might consider boarding a “different plane” to reach his political destination—an analogy many interpret as a hint at defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“If you wanted to travel with Ibom Airline, and on the verge of taking off, it developed a fault that won’t enable it to fly, won’t you board the next available plane to take you to your destination?” Eno asked, addressing a large crowd at the Town Square meeting for the Ukanafun/Oruk Anam federal constituency.
His remarks come amid growing concerns over internal disunity and instability within the PDP, exacerbated by recent defections, including that of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to the APC.
Despite raising concerns about the PDP’s direction, Governor Eno called on his supporters to remain committed to the goals of his administration, emphasizing that service delivery remains his top priority.
As part of the engagement, the governor distributed empowerment packages to more than 400 constituents. The distribution included Traders and Farmers Grants, substantial MSME funding, and equipment support. Specifically, 154 traders received grants, 116 farmers were supported, four individuals received N5 million each for business development, and 131 benefitted from equipment support.
In his remarks, Governor Eno urged beneficiaries to utilize the funds responsibly and cautioned against investing in Ponzi schemes or other non-productive ventures.
“We need to meet with the people from time to time. Governance doesn’t end at elections,” he said. “We’re here to listen, to assess your needs, and to let you know what we’ve done and what we plan to do.”
Eno also revealed that the administration had so far covered four of the state’s 10 federal constituencies in this engagement drive and assured that all would be completed in time to incorporate their needs into the 2026 budget.
“We will review your requests and prioritize based on available resources. What we can’t do now will be considered in future budgets,” he added. “This government belongs to the people—it is for you, with you, and by you.”
Governor Eno has not formally declared any party switch, but his comments have intensified political discussions about the evolving dynamics within Akwa Ibom and the national opposition landscape.
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, the immediate past governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and all members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Delta State have defected to the All Progressives Congress.
The announcement was made on Wednesday in Asaba, the Delta State capital, by Senator James Manager, shortly after a meeting that lasted over six hours at Government House, Asaba.
Manager stated, “All PDP members in the state, including the governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, all the local government chairmen and others, have agreed to move to the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Aniagwu Charles, officially confirmed the governor’s defection and the collective decision of Delta PDP leaders and stakeholders to join the APC.
Political observers have described the move as a major realignment that could reshape the political landscape of Delta State ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While Governor Oborevwori has yet to make a public statement on the defection, sources say further details on the rationale behind the move may emerge in the coming days.
Wike’s allies secure PDP control in Bayelsa, Edo
“There is a need for us to adjust our drinking patterns. And in adjusting that drinking pattern, we needed to make a decision that would further help to cement the development in our state, to build the court of law that has existed in our state, to further advance the cause of security and the welfare of our people, and, to a large extent, ensure that development in Delta is not truncated,” Aniagwu stated.
He continued, “In taking that decision, we concluded that leaving the PDP was very necessary for us to be able to collaborate and build a state that every Deltan will be proud of. We believe that what is happening, and the state of the PDP, is akin to that palm wine whose taste has changed — and there was a need for us to change the drinking party.”
Charles added that the decision was unanimously made by party leaders and stakeholders, hinting at a formal public declaration soon.
“By the grace of God, on Monday next week, we will be able to make a very big statement confirming that we are moving into the APC,” he said.
The move marks a significant turning point in Delta State politics, signalling a broader political recalibration that could reshape party dominance in the South-South region.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Deputy Governorship Candidate in 2023 general election, in Cross River State, Dr Emana Duke Ambroose-Amawhe, has resigned her membership from the party.
In a letter dated
march 28,2025, and addressed to the chairman of Edem Odo Ward, in Akpabuyo local government area of Cross River State, the former Deputy Governorship Candidate,explained that the resignation was with immediate effect.
She said her decision to leave the party was not made lightly, but she remains committed to serving her community and contributing to the progress of Cross River state and nation in other capacities.
In her words, “i am writing to formally resign my membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect.
” I sincerely appreciate the opportunity given to me over time to contribute my quota to the growth of the party and the chance to serve as the Deputy Governorship Candidate in the last general elections.
” It was a privilege to be part of the PDP’s vision and engage with our people in meaningful ways. However, after much reflection in light of the current state of affairs within the party, I believe it is time for me to move on.
“This decision was not made lightly, but I remain committed to serving my community and contributing to the progress of our state and nation in other capacities.
Continuing ” I appreciate the relationships and experiences gained during my time with the party and wish the PDP success in its future endeavours.
Amawhe, an embodiment of competence, capability and capacity,
was the Deputy Governorship Candidate to Senator Sandy Onor in Cross River State during the 2023 elections.
She was also an aspirant to the House of Representatives for the Bakassi/Akpabuyo/Calabar South Federal Constituency on the platform of the PDP.
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