PDP Governors hold sway, as 2021 National Convention closes with 25yr-old emerging new National Youth Leader

National Convention of the main opposition, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) closed, Sunday morning, with the 13 elected state governors under the party’s platform effectively in the driving seat of the affairs of the structure.

The two-day event which held at the Eagle Square produced National Working Committee (NWC) members of the party to steer the affairs of the political platform through the 2023 General Elections, though before commencement of voting proper, only three positions were left for grabs as chieftains lobbied to produce consensus arrangements among the candidates.

Perhaps, the biggest highlight of the two-day programme was the emergence of 25-year-old Prince Mohammed Kadade Suleiman, from Kaduna State as the PDP’s new National Youth Leader.

Heading into the national Convention, over 85 per cent of the 21-member NWC positions were already filled, leaving those Deputy National Chairman (South) as Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Taofeek Arapaja vied for the position; the National Auditor which had three candidates contesting, including; Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel, Ikechukwu Samben Nwosu and Mrs Chibuogwu Benson-Oraelosi, as well as the seat of National Youth Leader, for which Muhammed Kadade Suleiman and Usman Elkudan contested.

With Iyorchia Ayu as National Chairman, and the other 18 party chieftains already confirming their offices in the National Working Committee of the PDP, the contest was left for three positions, as state governors of the party ensured that consensus candidates emerged, just as they also impressed it upon convention delegates to vote for ‘unity.’

This move saw party chieftains like former Senate President, Olusola saraki, and ex-Vice President, Abubakar Atiku outplayed in their ambitions for their preferred candidates, which was particularly obvious in the case of the vacant Deputy National Chairman (South) office.

While governors of the party favoured the Oyo chapter’s candidate, Arapaja who is heavily backed by the state’s governor and Secretary of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC), Seyi Makinde, the Osun chapter’s Prince Oyinlola was supported by Saraki and Atiku for the position. And despite wooing delegates, lost the seat to Arapaja.

The PDP National Convention had over 3600 in attendance, as members of the Organising Committee led by their Chairman and Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, had led his delegation to a courtesy visit to the office of former President, Goodluck Jonathan, to douse defection rumours which have continued to trail the former country’s leader.

The PDP had also cleared the last hurdle confronting the National Convention when a day earlier on Friday, a Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt dismissed the suit filed by the party’s former chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, seeking to stop the conduct of the Abuja political exercise.

The Court dismissed the suit for lacking in merit, while also describing it as ‘consequentially,’ which effectively cleared the way for the commencement of the event in Abuja.

After clearing about 27 members to contest elections into the NWC, the party’s screening sub-committee had disqualified three aspirants from vying for positions in the NWC.

Those disqualified were: Prof Wale Oladipo (Osun) who expressed interest in the position of Deputy National Chairman South, Okey Muo-Aroh (Anambra) who expressed interest in the position of National Secretary, and Dr Olafeso Eddy (Ondo) National Publicity Secretary.

On the convention grounds proper, Arapaja polled a total of 2,004 votes to beat Oyinlola for the Deputy National Chairman (South), who barely garnered 705 votes.

Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum, the favoured candidate og the state governors beat Maryam Ina Ciroma. Damagum polled 2, 222 votes to emerge Deputy National Chairman (North) while Ciroma garnered a paltry 365 votes.

Senator Samuel Anyanwu emerged National Secretary with 3,426, as Debo Ologunagba, the new National Publicity Secretary.

Stella Effah-Attoe and Kamaldeen Ajibade emerged National Woman Leader and National Legal Adviser, respectively, with 3,426 votes each at the convention.

Unopposed Umar Bature, Okechukwu Daniel, Daniel Woyegikuro, became members of the NWC after polling 3,426 votes each to emerge National Organizing Secretary, National Auditor, National Financial Secretary, respectively.

Meanwhile, Mohammed Suleiman became the youngest National Youth leader of the party at just 25 years of age as he defeated Usman Elkudan to the office.

Suleiman who hails from Kaduna State, emerged from the North West, as he was also party’s consensus candidate for the position.

Ayo was pronounced the new National Chairman of the party replacing the ousted Prince Secondus, by the Convention Chairman, Fintiri at the event.

Ayu remarked: “I believe the other party can never hold a convention because even in states, they cannot hold congresses. 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. This is a quit notice for them. PDP is back and is taking back the country to develop it.

“I want to sincerely appreciate the PDP family. Today is simply a thank you address. When we started this party 23 years ago, we never in any way imagined that the journey will get us to this stage, a stage where we ruled for 16 years.

“We went into rough times, but for anybody who bothers to see, PDP is back to rescue Nigeria from the terrible mess we have been in in the last six years.

“I want to appreciate all of you who have taken time as delegates, observers, supporters, and members of the media as well as security services who have made this event such a wonderful event.

“Many people imagined that this convention will lead to the breakup of the PDP. Those who dream like that are dreaming in wonderland. Their dream was misplaced.

“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, 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,” he said.

The newly-elected NWC expected to assume office on December 8 when their tenure officially kicks-off.

Full list of PDP National Consensus offices

1. Iyorchia Ayu- National Chairman

2. Umar Iliya Damagum- Deputy National Chairman (North)

3. Taofeek Arapaja- Deputy National Chairman (South)

4. Samuel Anyanwu (National Secretary)

5. Ahmed Yayari Mohammed (National Treasurer)

6. Umar Bature (National Organising Secretary)

7. Daniel Woyegikuro (National Financial Secretary)

8. Stella Effah-Attoe (National Women Leader)

9. Mohammed Kadade Suleiman (National Youth Leader)

10. Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade (National Legal Adviser)

11. Debo Ologunagba (National Publicity Secretary)

12. Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel (National Auditor)

13. Setonji Koshoede (Deputy National Secretary)

14 Ndubisi Eneh David (Deputy National Treasurer)

15. Ibrahim Abdullahi (Deputy National Publicity Secretary)

16. Ighoyota Amori (Deputy National Organising Secretary)

17. Adamu Kamale (Deputy National Financial Secretary)

18. Hajaja Yakubu Wanka (Deputy National Women Leader)

19. Timothy Osadolor (Deputy National Youth Leader)

20. Okechukwu Osuoha (Deputy National Legal Adviser)