A former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sen. Bala Mohammed, and five others are in the race for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, it was learnt yesterday.
Others are Prof. Ahmed Alkali, a former Special Adviser on Political Affairs to former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Minister of State for Power Mohammed Wakil and Deputy National Publicity Secretary Jalo Abdullahi.
Some governors are pushing for ex-Governor Sule Lamido, a onetime National Secretary of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) and a former Deputy National Chairman of PDP and ex-Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema.
But party leaders, including some members of the Board of Trustees (BOT), are insisting that the Northeast should retain the position.
It was, however, learnt that Dr. Jonathan might play a key role in the choice of the new chairman.
Jonathan’s camp is said to be in favour of young elements leading the party.
The party is awaiting the date for a mini-National Convention to elect the chairman.
A source, who spoke in confidence with our correspondent, said: “Most leaders and members are uncomfortable that we have an Acting National Chairman.
“Already, six candidates appear to be interested in leading the party. While four of the candidates are from the Northeast, two others from the Northwest (ex-Governors Lamido and Shema) are being recommended by some governors and leaders of the party.
“We are not sure whether or not the former governors are interested in leading the party.”
A member of the NWC said: “So far, only the ex-FCT Minister appears to have launched a subtle campaign for the post. The other candidates have been consulting.”
The PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) is expected to release the guidelines for the election soon.”
But it was gathered that party leaders, including some members of the BOT are insisting that the Northeast should retain the chairmanship slot in line with Article 47(6) of the PDP Constitution.
The Article says: “Where a vacancy occurs in any of the offices of the party, the Executive Committee at the appropriate level shall appoint another person from the area or zone where the officer originated from…”
The NWC source added: “Anyone elected from the Northeast will be completing the tenure of the erstwhile National Chairman, Alh. Bamanga Tukur, who was elected on March 24, 2012.”
But some forces in the party have said its constitution is not sacrosanct on the choice of the new national chairman.
They cited Article 49 of the PDP constitution to support their backing for Lamido and Shema.
The Article reads: “Every registered member of the party who has satisfied the requirements for nomination and election under this constitution, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any other law, rules or regulations in force shall be eligible to contest for any of the offices of the party.
“The guidelines for election to any office of the party shall be approved by the NEC of the party in accordance with the provisions of this constitution.
“No member of the party shall be qualified for nomination or election or appointment into any of the offices of the party, unless he or she has been a registered member and is of good financial standing in the party.”
No comments:
Post a Comment