The second term ambition of the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, appears to have suffered a major setback.
This followed indications that governors elected on the platform of the opposition party may have finally decided to have him replaced ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
It was learnt that the governors want the Rivers State-born politician out following the exit of Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State from the party and rising speculations that more of their colleagues may leave the party over issues relating to Secondus’ handling of the zoning debate that has rocked the opposition party for a while.
According to very reliable sources, the governors arrived at a conclusion during the week following revelations that numerous chieftains of the PDP, including governors, National Assembly members and other eminent party chiefs, who are under pressure from the national caretaker leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to defect, are biding time over the expected leadership change before making up their minds on what steps to take.
Umahi, who dumped the PDP last month, had said he moved to the APC because of the injustice meted out to the Southeast by the PDP.
“It is absurd that since 1999 going to 2023, the Southeast will never be considered to run for presidency under the PDP. And this is my position and will continue to be my position. It had nothing to do with me or my ambition,” the Ebonyi State governor said.
The exit of the governor as well as growing speculations of imminent mass defection is causing ripples in the PDP.
The developments are being blamed on the equally growing agitations over zoning within the party, and some governors are said to have earlier resolved that only Secondus’ ouster would restore sanity to the embattled opposition party.
It was gathered that at a meeting during the week, the PDP governors decided to commence the search for a credible replacement for the national chairman.
According to inside sources, a couple of the governors met in Abuja while others joined them on the zoom platform to discuss the fate of their embattled national chairman and the National Working Committee (NWC).
A source said: “With the tenure of the current NWC of the PDP ending this month, it became necessary for organs of the party to discuss what will become of Secondus and his team.
“Of course, the national chairman is not hiding his desire to remain in office for another term, but it appears majority of the governors elected on the platform of our party are not in agreement with his plans.
“As it is, the governors are searching for a replacement for him.
“Some reasons have been adduced for their decision to change the national leadership of the party.
“There are those who argue that in line with the zoning principle of the party, Secondus should give way for a northerner to emerge as the national chairman of the PDP so as to enhance the emergence of a southerner as the party’s presidential flag bearer in the 2023 general elections.
“Similarly, a number of the governors are of the opinion that the incumbent national chairman cannot achieve a free, fair and credible party primary for the 2023 presidential ticket given what they describe as his obvious support for a particular presidential aspirant and his group within the PDP.
“Hence, they want Secondus to vacate the seat upon the expiration of his term later this month.”
Atiku’s camp fights back
According to findings the embattled national chairman still enjoys support among some PDP governors believed to be loyal to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
A zonal officer of the party in the Southeast said: “He has a strong governor supporting him in the Northeast and another in the South-south. And currently, he has the support of the majority of the incumbent members of the NWC. The Atiku political camp within the PDP also feels Secondus should continue in office.
“With indications emerging that the former vice president may be reviving his machinery ahead of the 2023 presidential contest, his men are also rallying support for Secondus across the country.
“Many state chairmen of the party, especially in the Southwest, are solidly behind the national chairman in his quest for another term.
“Also, some former PDP governors, led by a former Southwest governor, recently met in Lagos to fashion out the modalities that will see Secondus retain his seat beyond 2020.
“There are talks that these people and others like them are working for the emergence of Atiku as the party’s presidential flag bearer in 2023.”
