PDP chairmanship: Fresh plot throws up Bode George, Egwu

Taiwo Adisa, Abuja - 02.12.2007

Following the indefinite postponement of the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a new offensive has been flagged off with the aim of installing a preferred candidate as acting National Chairman till 2009.

A group of party members are already canvassing the postponement of the elective National Convention till 2009, since the current National Chairman, Dr. Ahmadu Ali, came into office in 2005 on a four year ticket.

But since Ali has been confirmed by the Senate as an Ambassador, the insiders are now planning that one of either the former governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Sam Egwu or the Deputy National Chairman, Chief Olabode George will be made to occupy the office in acting capacity to complete Ali’s tenure.

Sources in the party told the Sunday Tribune that the group involved in the plot had tested the idea at a recent meeting of the South East PDP and that the idea met with a loud protest.

According to sources, the idea is that since Ali will soon be posted on ambassadorial duty, having been cleared by the Senate, it behoves the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party to ratify an acting National chairman.

It is calculated that by January when the NEC will be meeting, Ali might have been presented with his letter of credence, which will automatically mean that he would proceed on ambassadorial posting.

If that is the case, the party will have to pick an acting National Chairman in his place. The acting National Chairman, who is expected to come from the South East in line with the zoning arrangement will remain in office till 2009.

A source, however, said that if the South East caucus will not agree that Egwu should pick the slot in acting capacity, the lot could then fall on the Deputy National Chairman, George, who will also be made to remain in office to complete Ali’s tenure.

Said a source: “The NEC of the party ordered that the officers should tender their resignations, but that has now been nullified and even if the convention is going to take place, it will no longer be an elective one, since all the officers who came in 2005 were elected for a four year term. At the National level, someone has to take over in acting capacity if Ali proceeds on ambassadorial posting and that person is Dr. Sam Egwu.”

Another source in the South East, however, declared that the idea was broached at a recent meeting of the caucus in the zone and that a loud protest ensued.

“We understand the game, but they are trying to put the South East in a tight angle, they know that Egwu cannot win at the convention, so they are bringing this argument of 2009 and acting national chairman,” the source said adding that there is a subtle coercion to the effect that if the South east leaders of PDP will not accept the choice of Egwu as acting chairman, the lot will fall on Chief Olabode George, who is the incumbent Deputy National Chairman and the next highest ranking official of the party after Ali.