Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo
Olusola Fabiyi
Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and members of the national caucus will meet in Enugu, the Enugu State capital, this week to review the forthcoming convention of the party
SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that the governors will review the report of the committee, headed by Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State, saddled with the responsibility of recommending the zoning formula for the party’s national offices.
The governor was picked as the head of the committee at the national caucus meeting of the party held in Abuja on Wednesday night.
The Abuja meeting was presided over by the Chairman of the party’s National Caretaker Committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi.
Also in attendance were the governors, some senators, members of the House of Representatives and members of the Board of Trustees.
Our correspondent gathered that the caucus meeting, which was said to have generated tension as a result of the zoning formula, was effectively handled by Makarfi.
Dankwambo and members of his committee were said to have been mandated to look into how a zone would not corner some offices while others may not get a single representation at the party’s next national working committee.
For instance, it was gathered that some members of the caucus expressed fears that both the national chairman and deputy (south) could come from the same geopolitical zone if not handled carefully.
The party had zoned the office of the national chairman to the southern part of the country, while it also ceded the party’s presidential ticket to the North.
However, the party is to have two deputy national chairmen, each from the northern and southern part of the country.
While the South-East is not contesting the office of the national chairman, both the South-West and the South-South are fiercely struggling for the position.
Those in the race for the position from the South-West are Chief Olabode George, Prof.Tunde Adeniran, Prof. Toaheed Adedoja, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Senator Rashidi Ladoja and Mr. Gbenga Daniel.
Prince Uche Secondus and Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, who are from the South-South, are also vying for the office.
A member of the Board of Trustees of the party from the South-West, Chief Shuaib Oyedokun, confirmed the setting up of the Dankwambo committee in a chat with our correspondent.
“Yes, a committee headed by the governor of Gombe State has been set up to look into the case so that we don’t have problems on the zoning arrangement,” he said.
It was also gathered that the committee would revert to the national caucuses at a meeting scheduled to hold in Enugu, Enugu State next week.
Another source who was at the meeting said, “The governors and members of the caucus are meeting in Enugu on Sunday and Monday to look at the report of the Dankwambo committee.
“We are desirous of a change and we want everybody to be at peace with the party after and before the convention. Every aspirant will be allowed to vie for the position zoned to their areas. However, let us see the committee’s report before we take decisions.”
Meanwhile, Secondus, who is one of the formidable aspirants, has denied media report that he is being sponsored by some powerful forces within the party.
He said there was no iota of truth in the allegation, adding that he was qualified to hold the position of national chairman of the party.
His media office, in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, said several insinuations and stories about his ambition to lead the party were misleading.
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