By Omeiza Ajayi, ABUJA
The disaster of confidence within the Peoples Democratic Social gathering, PDP, seems removed from over as discussions surrounding the get together’s zoning method for the 2027 normal election appear to be creating one other gulf amongst southern leaders of the get together.
Already, stakeholders of the PDP from the South have dismissed as unlawful, a purported assembly on the get together’s zoning association slated for at the moment in Lagos State.
The stakeholders embrace State Chairmen of the PDP, former Governors, Nationwide Meeting members, serving and former Nationwide Working Committee NWC members and different notable get together chieftains from Southern Nigeria.
The PDP leaders dismissed “any resolutions, communiqués or outcomes purportedly emanating from this assembly as neither binding on, or reflective of, the collective will and aspirations of the PDP household throughout Southern Nigeria,” including that “choices reached in secrecy and exclusion can’t and shall not assume the authority of consensus.”
Their choice was contained in an announcement signed by the State Social gathering Chairmen of Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Rivers, Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah, Barr. Venatius Ikem, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Akpan and Aaron Chukwuemeka respectively, in addition to the Nationwide Vice Chairman (South-East), Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck and Minority Chief of the Home of Representatives, Hon. O. Ok. Chinda.
Others have been Senators Igwe Nwagu, Mao Ohuabunwa, George Sekibo, Mike Ama Nnachi, former Nationwide Secretary, Rt. Hon. Onwe S. Onwe, Deputy Nationwide Authorized Adviser, Barr. Okechukwu Osuoha, former Ebonyi State Authorized Adviser, Barr. Mudi Erhenede and others.
The assertion titled; “Re: Purported Assembly of PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit,” reads; “The eye of the undersigned State Chairmen of the Individuals’s Democratic Social gathering PDP from the South and a few important stakeholders has been drawn to a gathering ‘nicodemously’ summoned in Lagos at the moment twenty first August 2025 by some individuals purporting to take action on behalf of PDP Members of the South tagged ‘PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit’ convened by the Admin Secretary, Zoning Committee of the PDP on the behest of the Chairman Zoning Committee (H.E Senator Duoye Diri) on the Legend Resort, Ikeja, Lagos.
“The mentioned assembly tagged ‘a summit’ was allegedly convened within the identify of the three geo-political zones of Southern Nigeria — South East, South South and South West.
“It’s extremely regrettable and certainly deeply disturbing that such a gathering was convened with out the courtesy of inviting a number of State Chairmen from the South East and South South, in addition to the duly elected Nationwide Secretary and Deputy Nationwide Authorized Adviser of our nice get together. Much more troubling is the inexplicable exclusion of a number of nationwide officers, eminent leaders and important stakeholders of the PDP.
“Shockingly, the Minority Chief within the Nationwide Meeting and different principal officers of our get together from the South-South and South-East have been additionally intentionally sidelined and denied participation in a gathering the place such far-reaching and delicate choices on zoning, energy rotation and political fairness are to be mentioned.
“Equally regarding is the deliberate omission of most former governors from the South East and South South, who, by each customary of historical past, pedigree and institutional reminiscence, stay important stakeholders in any dialog in regards to the future course of our get together.
“Such a brazen disregard for established buildings and statutory organs of the PDP not solely offends the spirit of collective decision-making but additionally dangers undermining the very basis upon which our get together was constructed.
“The PDP, since inception, has been anchored on the values of inclusivity, fairness, session and collective accountability.
“Any course of that intentionally sidelines key stakeholders, ignores the official authority of nationwide officers and excludes elected leaders and rating lawmakers erodes belief, fuels division and threatens get together cohesion at a time when unity is most wanted.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we categorically dismiss any resolutions, communiqués or outcomes purportedly emanating from this assembly as neither binding on, or reflective of, the collective will and aspirations of the PDP household throughout Southern Nigeria. Choices reached in secrecy and exclusion can’t and shall not assume the authority of consensus.
“Extra significantly, the mentioned summit is untimely and focused at defending the curiosity and egocentric ambition of a choose few because the Zoning Committee arrange by the 101 NEC is but to current its report for ratification by the get together.
“We reaffirm our unwavering dedication to the unity, stability and electoral fortunes of the PDP and name upon all well-meaning leaders and stakeholders to withstand any try to control zoning preparations via exclusionary techniques or clandestine maneuvers.
“The South East and South South zones, alongside our counterparts within the South West, stay united within the pursuit of equity, justice, and fairness — the very beliefs which have sustained our get together’s relevance and credibility through the years.
“As custodians of the mandate entrusted to us by our members, we stay resolute in defending the integrity of the PDP and guaranteeing that any choices affecting Southern Nigeria throughout the PDP are reached via correct consultations, transparency and inclusiveness, consistent with the established democratic ethos of our get together.
“We name on the Nationwide Working Committee NWC, the Nationwide Government Committee NEC and all stakeholders of the get together to ignore any final result of the mentioned assembly which isn’t solely unlawful however divisive.
“Take discover that the place any iota of regard is given to the end result of the purported assembly, we will not hesitate to take applicable steps consistent with our get together structure to withstand identical with full drive.”
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