Fayose’s ambition threatens PDP convention plans

As the Stakeholders’ meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) meeting holding in Abuja, there are reports that subtle political moves by the two most vocal and powerful governors in the party, Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti state might scuttle the zoning formula being brought forward by the leaders of the party.

Stakeholders of the party are currently meeting in  Abuja to plan how to move the party forward.

According to reports, the Expanded National Caucus, Board of Trustees and the National Executive Committee will meet to set a date for its convention and decide on the zoning formula for the party ahead of 2019 general elections

According to the party’s constitution, those expected at the meeting are: former presidents and vice presidents, PDP governors, NEC members, National Assembly members, former PDP governors, former PDP ministers and all former national officers of the party, who are still members of the party.

Although, the Spokesman for the interim committee of the party, Prince Dayo Adeyeye told newsmen that no date had been fixed for the convention,  the Niger State chairman of the party, Tanko Beji, said that the party would now hold its national convention in October.

He said the presidential candidate of the party for the 2019 general election is to come from the northern part of the country, while the vice president is zoned to the south.

Mr Beji said in preparing for the convention, each state branch of the PDP hadbeen directed to submit the names of 30 members that would serve on the convention planning committee.

He said Nigerians with ambitions to seek the mandate of the people should do so, saying the era of “no vacancy” had come to an end.

Fayose, who is from the Southwest has insisted that he will run for presidency of the party in 2019. A reliable source informed that Fayose is supported on this mission by Wike. The two governors were instrumental to the emergence of Alhaji Ali-Modu Sheriff as national chairman, even when the latter was not in the race for the position.

On Monday, the governor launched his campaign on Twitter and Facebook by opening accounts in the name his presidential campaign on both platforms.

Fayose and his groups are clamouring that the Presidency should be zoned to the south while the chairmanship of the party should be zoned to the north, a position also shared by Fayose’s former political ally and Senator representing Ogun East senatorial district, Senator Buruji Kashamu.

It was gathered that some elders of the party who have got wind of the Fayose and Wikes’s plan are preparing offer of Vice-President ticket to placate Fayose.

But Fayose’s tenure ends next year and he may not be in position to pull much weight by the time politicking for presidency is in full gear, so he will want everything to be settled now that he has clout and currently, the Chairman of PDP governors forum”.

“Nobody knows what will happen to Fayose when he leaves power and lose his immunity which has prevented him from arrest, so, planning the future of the party around such uncertainty is not the best for a party which is just coming out from a major crisis caused by the same Fayose” another PDP chieftain who does not want his name in print told NigerianNewsDirect.

“Fayose has been the only courageous voice in PDP and despite several threats against him, he stood staunch and dared the presidency, the party needs to compensate him,” he added

It will be recalled that Fayose had predicted that he would succeed the ailing President Muhammadu Buhari as the country’s president in 2019.

His words: “I have penchant for taking powers; that one in Buhari’s hand. I will take it. I’m going straight to that villa. I’m the next president.

“I want to be the next president of Nigeria. My own won’t be this change that has brought nothing, we are going to represent the people well and tell them the truth.”

Fayose while also speaking at another rally said, “We are holding this rally to show the opposition that the people of Ekiti are on our side. The era of rigging and money bag politics is gone. We have defeated them in June 2014 but they said it was the military that won the election The seat of power in Aso-Rock, will change from APC to PDP in 2019. Today we are celebrating the victory of light over darkness in June 21, 2014. On that day, the power of the people prevails over those of them in power. You spoke in one voice and I elected to turn around your fortunes. Today, you are living witnesses to the difference in our government. ”

Taking a critical swipe at the APC-led President Muhammadu Buhari’s government; Fayose described the FG as anti-Ekiti, accusing it of budgeting no project for the state in the 2017 appropriation law. He said, the people of the state will revolt against the APC during the 2018 governorship poll slated for 2018 because of his poor performance in government and its insensitivity to the plight of Ekiti populace.

Berating the APC, Governor Fayose said; “Those who trade in lies and propaganda daily are in control of the federal government and as at today”.