Crisis looms in PDP as emergence of 'unity list' threatens to tear party chieftains apart ahead of national convention

macfranc007 November 30, 2017 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Jerrywright Ukwu

- The race for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship is gathering momentum

- There are however genuine fears that the party may be polarised due to the convention

- Stakeholders of the party are of the opinion that the party leadership should ensure fairness in the conduct of the election

Some PDP stakeholders have expressed fears that the forthcoming national convention of the party may polarise the party and leave it factionalised again.

This was the position of various stakeholders in the party who frowned at the emergence of a 'unity list,' said to be a ploy by some leaders of the party to foist their own candidate on the party.

One of the stakeholders told journalists that many members of the party were uncomfortable with the offensive "unity list" and may leave the party if the planned imposition of candidates is allowed to take place.

Convention: PDP stakeholders kick against 'unity list', warns against impunity

PDP stakeholders are optimistic that the party leadership won't allow impunity reign in their midst

According to the source, the idea of having a unity list was an indication that the PDP was still promoting impunity, lack of internal democracy and had not learnt from its past mistakes.

His words: “We expect that the convention will be keenly contested and its outcome not pre-determined. It is better for all the contestants to face the delegates and let the delegates choose their leaders in a free, fair and transparent convention.

“We should allow the contestants to be elected on their individual merit rather than being handpicked by some godfathers.

“All the contestants bought forms and indicated their interests to vie for the different offices. They should be allowed to contest the election in a free, fair and transparent manner to avoid any crisis.”

It was also gathered that those opposed to the unity list have threatened to leave the party to pursue their political aspirations elsewhere.

Another chieftain of the party who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the best way to avoid another implosion in the party would be to jettison the unity list.

“We are making a passionate appeal to all the organs of the party namely the Board of Trustees (BOT), National Executive Committee (NEC), National Working Committee (NWC) and the PDP Governors Forum, to critically look at the unity list because of its potential to destroy our party.

“The onus is on the party to do the right thing by allowing a level playing field during the convention,” he said.

He applauded the various party leaders who spoke against an earlier plot to micro-zone positions and appealed to them to take the same steps against the unity list to salvage the party from total collapse.

Meanwhile, the director-general of Professor Tunde Adeniran Campaign Organisation, Alhaji Shehu Gabam, has urged PDP faithfuls across the country to reward loyal party members with key positions in its forthcoming convention in December.

Gabam made the call during an interaction with journalists on Monday, October 9, at the campaign office of Professor Tunde Adeniran.

Gabam, a former chief of staff to the Bauchi state government, stated that Adeniran’s candidature is a departure from the past where people with questionable characters are elected to lead the party.

PDP chieftain, Chief Chyna Iwuanyanwu speaks about the party's crisis on - NAIJ.com TV