By Ayodele Oni
Countdown to the National Convention of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), coming up between 30th and 31st October in Abuja, leaders of the party from the North Central zone, have unanimously adopted former Senate President, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu as consensus candidate for the position of National Chairman.
Barring any last minute change, the party is expected to hold its Convention on the dates going by the decision of the stakeholders.
The dates were arrived at after mounting pressure, spearheaded by one of the Governors to remove the national Chairman of the Party, Prince Uche Secondus.
Already, a High Court in Rivers State has restrained Secondus from parading himself as the PDP national chairman, following his suspension by his ward.
The National Vice Chairman of the party from the north central, Mr Theophilus Daka Shan, and Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom who is also the leader of the PDP in the zone, briefed journalists immediately after a marathon meeting of the critical stakeholders held at the Benue State Governor’s Lodge, Abuja.
The meeting was in continuation of series of meetings by leaders of the zone in arriving at a consensus candidate of the party.
The Governor, flanked by former Senate President David Mark, Dr. Ayu, zonal chairman of the party, and other leaders in the zone stated that Senator Ayu would be presented to the Northern stakeholders of the PDP in a meeting to be held for ratification.
The Governor explained that leaders of the party from the zone took time to search for someone with the capacity, commitment, love, and passion for the PDP and arrived at Dr. Ayu.
As a result of this, he said the party’s leadership in the North Central Region unanimously agreed to sponsor Dr. Ayu out of the other aspirants.
According to the Governor, other critical decisions would also be taken during the Northern stakeholders meeting of the PDP to be held in Abuja.
