Governors elected on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the aegis of PDP Governors’ Forum, have disagreed with the call by the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) for a consensus candidate.
The governors, Okowa Ifeanyi, Seriake Dickso, Nyesom Wike, Ayo Fayose, Udom Emmanuel, Benedict Ayade, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Okezie Ikpeazu, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Dave Umahi and Darius Ishaku, also resolved that the national convention of the party, where the presidential candidate would emerge, would hold in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.
The governors had in their communique on Monday resolved to have an all-inclusive meeting with all the PDP Presidential aspirants, with the National Chairman, two national officers of the party, as well as leaders of the party in both chambers of the National Assembly in attendance.
It was eventually resolved at the meeting on Tuesday that all the aspirants should head for primaries, in the spirit of fairness and equity.
“The governors disagreed with the issue of consensus. They said that all the aspirants should go for the primaries to avoid unforeseen development. They want a contest among the aspirant so that the best can emerge,” it was revealed.
On the issue of convention, the source said that Enugu, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states were suggested, but the first two were dismissed due to what he called accommodation logistics.
“The issue of where to hold the convention came up. Enugu, Akwa Ibom and Rivers states were suggested, but Rivers state was selected.
“Enugu and Akwa Ibom were discarded because there are no enough hotels to accommodate the people that will come for the convention. Rivers States has enough accommodation, that was why it was selected.”