From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja

Ahead of the December 9 national convention of the  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former minister of Education, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, has insisted the next national chairman of the party must be from the South West geo-political zone.

Adeniran has also accused the National Caretaker Committee, headed by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, of allegedly giving undue advantage to one of the chairmanship aspirants, Uche Secondus.

The former minister, who is one of eight aspirants, jostling for the PDP chairmanship from the region, spoke through the Director General of his campaign team, Shehu Gabam, at a press conference in Abuja, yesterday.

Adeniran accused Makarfi of allegedly giving undue advantage to Secondus, who hails from the South South.

According to him, some of  Secondus’ supporters were sent by the party leadership to conduct congresses to produce delegates for December 9 national convention.

He said recent actions by the caretaker committee indicate that it is not acting in good faith, in a run-up to the national convention.

“Some of those who conducted delegates election were chief campaigners for  Secondus.

“You have George Sekibo. Austin Opara. You can see Emeka Ihedioha.

“Now, you have just one chairmanship aspirant having his men deeply entrenched in a system that would determine how the delegates will emerge.

“This is an indirect way of short-changing other aspirants and this is not good for the party,” he said.

The former minister alleged there is a plot by a powerful member of the party, who he refused to name,  to single handedly choose the next PDP chairman, and warned that such a move will be disastrous for the party.

Related News

“We are just warning. No individual is above the party. There would be consequences.

“Any attempt by any individual to impose his will, there would be consequences. PDP faithful are expecting a free and fair conventuon,” he reiterated.

Adeniran said anyone who underscores the importance of the South West producing the next leader of the opposition, would be doing so at its own peril.

“The chairmanship of the PDP must go to the South West. If the party underestimates the South West, it is doing so at its own peril.

“By consensus, this chairmanship must go to the South West. Whoever emerges, so be it.”

However, Adeniran said he would not be a part  of the shadow election being  canvassed by Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, for chairmanship aspirants from the South West.

The former minister said this is because  governor Fayose lacks the latitude to oversee such a process.

“We are not going to be part of process by an individual.

“He has said there is no candidate from Ekiti. That individual has taken side. He does not have that latitude. We will not canvass  consensus. But, we are not averse to any aspirant stepping down,” Adeniran said.

Efforts to reach the PDP National Publicity, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, for his reaction to Adeniran’s allegations, were unsuccessful.

He, also, did not respond to repeated calls to his mobile telephone.