A coalition in the Niger Delta has called on Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, to respect the stakeholders’ micro zoning arrangement by allowing the South West produce PDP national chairman.
This call was contained in a statement by Chairman, Harry Lawson and Secretary, Preye Wilson in Porthacourt of the coalition on Wednesday.
The statement said: “We, the Collation on Niger Delta Freedom Volunteer Force and Niger Delta People Peace Force are calling on the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Governors in the South to respect the micro-zoning arrangement entered by all the stakeholders in the zone where the position of the National Chairman was zoned to the South West.
It recalled that “The governors from the zone at a well attended meeting in Porthacourt, Rivers State, following a motion moved by governor Nyesom Wike in the presence of all stakeholders, resolved to micro-zone the position of the National Chairman to the South West. The decision of the governors was to prevent a situation where colliding interest for the exalted position will plunge the zone and the party into another series of crises.
“However, there are strong indications that the same governor Wike has reneged on this decision and has shown strong support for his Kinsman, Prince Uche Secundus contrary to the decision of the zone. Wike is also mobilizing other governors from the zone to throw their weight behind Secundus as against the decision of other stakeholders.
“We therefore call on governor Wike and his colleagues to toe the path of honour, respect and avoid any act that will denigrate resolutions from the zone.
The statement also said: “We further call of the Acting National Chairman of PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi to resign from his position and publicly declare his interest for the Presidency come 2019.
“It is morally wrong for the Acting Chairman to be occupying his present position and also working behind the scene to hijack the presidential ticket to his favour.
“We wish to state that Makarfi should either step down and make his interest public or abandon his ambition.
“We wish to restate our loyalty and dedication to our great party, the PDP. PDP has and will remain a great and strong party and that explains why there are a lot of interest.
“We pledge our loyalty to the party’s leadership. But we will resist any attempt to hijack the upcoming convention and stir fresh crises in the party.
A source close to Makarfi has repeatedly described allegation of presidential ambition against Makarfi as wild speculation.
He said accusations against the caretaker committee chairman are untrue.Makarfi is determined to be fair to all and ensure PDP remerges stronger, his associate said.
