Babangida Aliyu, Bala Mohammed, Others Seek Postponement of PDP Convention

By Onyebuchi Ezigbo in AbujaConcerned leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including former Niger state governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu, and former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bala Mohammed, have asked the party leadership to postpone the May 21 national convention in order to avert a looming crisis.

The leaders faulted the resolutions reached at the last National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of party, stating that what transpired at the poorly attended  NEC is inconsistent with the original PDP principles.

The position expressed by the concerned PDP group came on the heels of yet another meeting convened by a group led by former Minister of Information, Prof. Jerry Gana,  known as G-18, which held last  night in Abuja to add their voice to the growing concern over the contentious issue of zoning of offices ahead of the convention.

Some of the party leaders mainly former ministers who together met at venue in Abuja to articulate their views regarding some perceived shortcomings in the party, especially decisions taken at the last NEC meeting  were, former Ministers  of Women Affairs, Hon. Mrs. Zainab Maina;  Environment, Mr. John Odey; National Planning, Hon. Sulaiman Abubakar; Capt. Hassan Mohammed (rtd); Saidu Ndako Idris; former Minister of Women Affairs, Dr. Bolere Ketebu; and Hon. Kaulaha Aliyu.

At the close of a meeting of the leaders led by  Babangida Aliyu held in Abuja on Wednesday said, ” that the procedure and conduct of the congresses nationwide were flawed with resultant disaffection and disagreements”.

The affected PDP henchmen said their meeting was to critically examine the current developments in the party with special reference to the ongoing ward/state congresses to culminate in the  forth coming National convention.

In the statement signed by Babangida Aliyu, the leaders said the current zoning formula for the position of National Chairman as adopted by only one-third of NEC is inconsistent with the original PDP principles.

“In consonance therefore, the group unanimously resolved as follows; call for the postponement of the national convention and appeal to the leadership of the party to revisit these fundamental issues to enable the party to organize and conduct a more cohesive and acceptable national convention to avert the situation whereby aggrieved members may be compelled to organize parallel congress/convention”.

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