The political intrigues and show of power that played out at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2021 elective national convention surfaced on Sunday shortly after the results of the election was announced.
It was gathered that the intrigues that played out at the convention was a demonstration of what is going to happen at the 2022 convention of the party where the presidential candidate will be picked for 2023 election.
A source, who spoke with our correspondent disclosed that Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who had refused to back down for Taofeek Arapaja after much entreaties from PDP governors and other stakeholders, was backed by the trio of Atiku Abubakar, Bukola Saraki and Sule Lamido.
Arapaja, who, it was gathered was backed by the PDP governors, eventually have his way at the convention with 2004 votes to defeat Oyinlola, who scored 705 votes.
The source said that what transpired at the Eagle Square, the venue of the convention, was a foretaste of what will happen to the trio and others, who will contest the position with the governors, during the convention to pick the presidential candidate.
It was further gathered that the convention and the associated events that preceded the convention, was for the governors to consolidate their position and point out their direction ahead of the 2023 election.
Recall that at the 2018 presidential convention, Atiku defeated Aminu Tambuwal to pick the presidential ticket, a development that the governors were not comfortable with.
However, while at the venue of the convention on Saturday, rumours were flying round that Oyinlola has stepped down for Arapaja, until two contradicting consensus lists emerged.
In one of the consensus lists, Arapaja was allegedly cleared, while in the other list, Oyinlola was purportedly cleared.
It was, however, during the election proper that it was cleared to everyone that Oyinlola was still in the race for the Deputy National Chairman (South).
It was also during the election that it was noted that Ina Ciroma was still also in the race for Deputy National Chairman (North), but was, however, defeated by Ambassador Umar Damagum, who scored 2,222, as against the 365 votes she got.
For the position of National Youth Leader, Mohammed Kadade Sulieman won with 3,072 against his closest rival Usman ElKudan who polled 219.
Eighteen (18) out of the 21 National Working Committee (NWC) offices were unopposed.
While Senator Iyorchia Ayu, the former President of the Senate, was declared winner as PDP National Chairman after 3,426 delegates affirmed his unopposed position at the party’s convention in Abuja, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, from Southeast emerged winner of the National Secretary of the party unopposed.
Other elected officers through the party’s unopposed contest that scored 3,426 votes, were Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer and Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade, National Legal Adviser.
While Umar Bature is the new National Organising Secretary, Daniel Woyegikuro emerged as National Financial Secretary, Stella Effah-Attoe, National Woman Leader and Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel, National Auditor.
Setonji Koshoede is the New Deputy National Secretary, Ndubisi Eneh David, Deputy National Treasurer, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Ighoyota Amori, Deputy National Organizing Secretary, Adamu Kamale, Deputy National Financial Secretary, Hajaja Yakubu Wanka, Deputy National Woman Leader, Timothy Osadolor, Deputy National Youth Leader and Okechukwu Osuoha, Deputy National Legal Adviser.
Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee and governor of Adamawa state, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who announced the results commended party faithful for what he described as a successful National Convention.
In his appreciation speech, Ayu boasted that PDP is back to rescue Nigeria from the terrible mess it has been in the last six years, adding that the success of the convention is a quit notice to the ruling APC.
Berating the ruling party and others who wished that the convention will PDP to breakup, the former President of the Senate said that they are dreaming in wonderland and that their dreams were misplaced.
Appreciating all who took time as delegates, observers, supporters, members of the media and members of the security services, to make the event wonderful, Ayu added that PDP will come back to unite the people and put them together.
“Those who have lost hope should know that Nigeria is not a divided country. A small group of people decided to divide Nigeria. PDP will come back to unite our people, put them together, North and South, East and West.
“We will move ahead to develop this country. We did it before. We are going to do it again. I want to thank the governors. I want to thank the delegates. I want to thank our supporters and every single person, who has made this event such a huge success.
“I believe the order party can never hold a convention. Because even state Congress they cannot hold. They have produced 92 state chairmen for 36 states, how can they hold a successful convention which the PDP has done? We are waiting for them. This is a challenge to them. Let them come and hold a successful convention which the PDP has done. This is a quit notice. PDP is back and is taking back the country to develop it.”
[Independent]
