> ABUJA – A political pressure group in the South West, the Ibile Political Forum, has faulted agitation by some leaders of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the South West for the chairmanship of the party.
>
> Aside supporting the zoning of the chairmanship to the North, the group in a statement by its Publicity Director, Makanjuola Abiola, identified five major reasons why South West wing of the PDP does not deserve the chairmanship of the party in the next convention.
>
> “Our position is hinged on the following considerations:
>
> 1. The three northern geo-political zones remain the main battleground ahead of the 2019 presidential poll. Winning is dependent on how far the opposition can penetrate the north. Hence, having a Yoruba man as a party chairman will become a major hindrance. Can Chief Bode George campaign effectively in the North? The answer is NO.
>
> 2. The turbulent political terrain in Nigeria especially with an APC-controlled Federal Government dictates that only a tested northerner can successfully challenge APC hold on the North. Moreover, it will be easy to send a northerner to campaign in a turbulent north than a southerner. WE BELIEVE IN OUR ADAGE: OMO INAN LA RAN SI INAN”
>
> 3. South West has not demonstrated the capacity to mobilise the requisite resources needed to bankroll an opposition party. Of leaders lobbying for South West to have the chairmanship, none of then can provide or mobilise the needed logistics to confront an incumbent administration.
>
> 4. South West aspiration in the new dispensation is to secure the Number Two position. In 2019, PDP is to field a South Westerner as its vice-presidential flagbearer. Having the party chairmanship now will block that prospect.
>
> 5. Most PDP leaders in the South West face unresolved questions and issues around their persons, antecedents and roles in recent past. The forthcoming congresses are expected to produce new leaders. The old establishment should give way”, the group noted.
- Latest
- Trending
