\u2022Governors take Bayelsa crisis to NEC<\/p>\n
The National Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has retained the party\u2019s chairmanship in the Northeast as part of a new zoning formula. The Southwest is to produce the national secretary.<\/span><\/p>\n The party may be in for a stormy National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting today as the governors elected on its platform are insisting on the inclusion of the Bayelsa State primary election on the agenda.<\/span><\/p>\n The National Caucus endorsed the zoning formula Tuesday night.<\/span><\/p>\n The party offices will now be shared at the National Convention in February as follows: National Chairman (Northeast); Deputy National Chairman (Southsouth); National Secretary (Southwest); National Treasurer (Northcentral); National Organising Secretary (Northwest); National Legal Adviser (Northcentral); and the National Publicity Secretary (Southeast).<\/span><\/p>\n The House of Representatives Speaker was zoned to the Southwest, but the election of Aminu Tambuwal (Northwest) as Speaker upset the arrangement, leaving the Southwest without any post.<\/span><\/p>\n A source said: \u201cWhat we did was to focus on the forthcoming National Convention in February and how to reposition the party to make it stronger for the challenges ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe want to put in place a National Working Committee that will uphold the rule of law, ensure justice and fairness and enforce party discipline.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis is a tentative new zoning formula outlook which is subject to the ratification of the Board of Trustees and the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe party decided to retain the chairmanship in the Northeast to ensure a balance in power sharing formula. The zone has been talking of marginalisation in the scheme of things.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere were suggestions on dates for the convention but the NEC will take the final decision.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Asked about the choice of a new National Chairman, the source added: \u201cThat is left to our leaders and governors to decide among the aspirants. We know we will reach a consensus before the convention in February.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSo far, the number of aspirants has risen to 11 in the light of the ratification of the new zoning formula.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Prof. Rufai Ahmed Alkali and Ibrahim Birma are in the race.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOthers are a former \u00a0Nigeria\u2019s Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Hassan Adamu, ex-Governor of the defunct Gongola State, Alhaji Bamanga Muhammed Tukur; ex-Minister of Petroleum, Prof. Jibril Aminu (Adamawa); ex-Minister of Commerce, Ambassador Idris Waziri; ex-Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Shettima Mustapha, a former National Chairman of the defunct Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM), Alhaji Gambo Lawan (Borno); ex-Governor Adamu Mu\u2019azu (Bauchi) and Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe State).\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The party is set for the NEC meeting today to ratify the timetable for the convention, PDP governors are poised for a fresh battle.<\/span><\/p>\n