The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the aegis of Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders (ELCS) has issued a 6-point demand to the party ahead of its planned national convention.
Led by the FCT minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, the group is made up of four former renegade PDP governors, called the G-5. They are Messrs Samuel Ortom, Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Wike – former governors of Benue, Abia, Enugu and Rivers states respectively.
The fifth member and governor Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has pulled out of the group.
He is leading the central PDP to organise its convention and has been stoutly opposing Wike’s anti-party activities.
The former governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayo Fayose and the party’s national secretary, Mr Samuel Anyanwu, are the ELCS’ new recruits.
Rising from its meeting convened by Wike at his Asokoro residence on Monday night, the group has in a communiqué read by Ortom yesterday in Abuja, demanded as that
*A fresh congresses must be held in Ebonyi and Anambra states, in strict compliance with subsisting court judgments
*A new South East Zonal Congress must be urgently conducted.
*The outcome of the south-south congress in Calabar, already upheld by the courts, must be respected.
*PDP should immediately conduct the Ekiti LGA congresses, in line with judicial pronouncements.
*There should be no micro-zoning of offices, beyond the general zoning formula already adopted by the national executive committee (NEC) to maintain peace and stability.
*The national chairmanship position must remain in the north central, consistent with the zoning arrangement of the 2021 convention.
Ortom said the PDP is at a defining crossroads, warning that all judicial rulings should be obeyed to avoid deepening divisions in the party.
He warned that failure to accede to the faction’s demand would render any purported national convention invalid, as legitimate members of the party would be disenfranchised.
“Unity cannot be built on disenfranchisement, exclusion, or the neglect of valid judicial pronouncements,” Ortom said, adding that transparency and fairness would guarantee a credible convention.
Continuing, Ortom said: “The PDP was built on the foundation of inclusivity, fairness, and justice. To reclaim its pride of place as Nigeria’s true opposition, the party must now rise above narrow interests and embrace collective responsibility.
“We, the Eminent Leaders and Concerned Stakeholders, remain steadfast in our loyalty to the party and resolute in our determination to work with all organs and leaders of the PDP to ensure that the forthcoming National Convention becomes a watershed moment — a moment where unity triumphs over division and justice prevails over impunity.
“Only then can the PDP speak with one voice, act with one heart, and march with renewed strength toward victory.”
