Top leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from Southern Nigeria have distanced themselves from a planned meeting in Lagos to discuss zoning arrangements, describing it as lacking inclusivity, transparency, and legitimacy.
The leaders, comprising state party chairmen, former governors, senators, and members of the House of Representatives, said the Lagos meeting was “secretive” and “exclusionary,” and therefore cannot represent the collective will of the party.
In a joint statement, they categorically dismissed any resolutions or communiqués that may emanate from the gathering, stressing that such outcomes would not be binding on the PDP or its Southern bloc.
The aggrieved leaders expressed concern that critical stakeholders — including elected state chairmen, national officers, and other statutory representatives — were sidelined from the meeting, raising questions about its credibility and intent.
They urged the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Executive Committee (NEC) to disregard the summit and any resolutions reached, warning that giving credence to it could trigger internal resistance.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we categorically dismiss any resolutions, communiqués, or outcomes purportedly emanating from this meeting as neither binding on, nor reflective of, the collective will and aspirations of the PDP family across Southern Nigeria,” the statement read.
“Decisions reached in secrecy and exclusion cannot and shall not assume the authority of consensus.”The leaders further alleged that the Lagos parley was premature and designed to protect the selfish ambitions of a few individuals, noting that the official Zoning Committee set up by the 101st NEC meeting had not yet submitted its report for ratification.
Reaffirming their loyalty to the PDP, the Southern leaders pledged commitment to fairness, justice, and equity across the three Southern zones.
They called on stakeholders nationwide to resist attempts to manipulate zoning through exclusionary tactics.
The statement was signed by several prominent leaders, including the PDP state chairmen of Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers, alongside the National Vice Chairman (South-East), Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck, House Minority Leader, Hon. O.K. Chinda, and a host of senators and former national officers.
