By Charles Pemu 
ABUJA — Amid escalating internal tensions preceding the Peoples Democratic Party’s forthcoming National Convention slated for November in Ibadan, Oyo State, Northern stakeholders have moved to unify the party by resolving to zone the coveted National Chairmanship position to the North-West region.
Sources deeply involved in the party’s transition process revealed that the decision was finalized during a Northern stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja last weekend. It was agreed that while the North-West would produce the next National Chairman, the three Northern zones—North-West, North-East, and North-Central are scheduled to meet this week to decide on consensus candidates for their respective key positions in a complex swap arrangement.
The micro-zoning has spotlighted three key contenders from the North-West: former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, and former Kaduna State Governor Ahmed Makarfi. Party insiders suggest that Mr. Turaki currently enjoys an early majority support, reportedly backed by key stakeholders, including the few governors remaining in the party. A top official stated that if successful, Turaki would resign his current position as Co-Chairman of the National Convention Organizing Committee to formally pick up his form.
The party maintains that while consensus is the preferred route to avoid unnecessary conflict, the PDP constitution allows for open contest, guaranteeing that any member dissatisfied with the zoning is free to run for any position of their choice.
The internal disagreements have severely escalated, spilling over into the courts and casting a deep shadow of uncertainty over the November convention. The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, fixed October 31 for judgment on a critical suit seeking to halt the entire convention over alleged constitutional breaches.
The suit, filed by three aggrieved party members, Austin Nwachukwu and Amah Nnanna (PDP chairmen for Imo and Abia states, respectively), and Turnah Alabh George (South-South Zonal Secretary) alleges that the planned convention violates the PDP’s constitution.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Justice James Omotosho reaffirmed his earlier order directing all parties to maintain the status quo regarding the convention, issuing a stern warning that any action taken in violation of the court’s directive could be nullified.
The plaintiff’s counsel, Joseph Daudu (SAN), argued that the court must intervene to enforce compliance with the 1999 Constitution and Electoral Act, claiming that no valid congresses were held in fourteen states before the National Working Committee issued the convention notice. Conversely, counsel representing the party’s acting chairman, Umar Damagum, and the National Executive Committee, argued that issues relating to conventions are purely internal party affairs that fall outside the court’s jurisdiction.
Internal Leadership Squabbles Worsen
Adding to the instability, dissatisfaction reportedly persists among supporters of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, who remains at loggerheads with the leadership of the acting national chairman, Umar Damagum.
Furthermore, the PDP National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, recently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), denying that he signed the letter notifying INEC of the planned convention and requesting an investigation into alleged forgery.
Despite the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, dismissing talks of a crisis and insisting the convention will hold as scheduled on November 15 and 16 to usher in a renewed leadership, the convergence of internal wrangling, forgery allegations, and looming court rulings threatens to derail the crucial leadership transition.