2015: Jonathan, PDP face tough task in Southeast, Southsouth,stakeholders angry

2015: Jonathan, PDP face tough task in Southeast, Southsouth,stakeholders angry

Contrary to the assumption of an easy ride for President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 eletions, they may face some challenges in the Southeast and Southsouth.
Some angry stakeholders in the zones are threatening protest votes if the party’s primaries were not transparent to allow the people’s will to prevail.
One of the Southsouth governors has threatened to ask his favoured senatorial candidate to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to unseat a two-term senator.
The development is said to be of concern to the PDP leadership.
Investigation by our correspondent showed that the PDP is at a crossroads in eight states following attempts by some governors to impose governorship candidates on the party.
A high-ranking PDP leader, who spoke in confidence, said: “We are having serious challenges in some states in the Southeast and Southsouth. The consensus option is being resisted in about eight states.
“Some of the aspirants are already threatening to defect to APC or work against the interest of the party.
“We have a case where a governor is threatening to work against the interest of the party. We may lose some states in the Southeast and Southsouth unless we are circumspect.
“I can assure you that the President and PDP leaders will try to resolve the crisis.”
A member of the NWC said: “We have already opened discussions with some of the affected governors in order to put the success of the party above any other consideration.
“What you call problems or challenges are not limited to the PDP. We will sort things out in a ‘family manner’ to avoid going for the 2015 poll divided.”
Some of the governors facing tough tasks in anointing their successors are: Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Sullivan Chime (Enugu) and Theodore Orji (Abia).
In Rivers and Imo states, the battle for the governorship slots is tearing the PDP apart.
While the crisis of confidence in Rivers State is between former Minister Nyesom Wike and some stakeholders, the struggle for the ticket in Imo has pitched former Governor Ikedi Ohakim against Senator Ifeanyi Araraume and House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha.
The case at hand in Enugu State has pitched Governor Sullivan Chime against stakeholders.
In Delta State, favoured candidate, Tony Obuh, is facing a battle from Ovie Omo-Agege, Ndudi Elumelu and Ngozi Olojeme.
But the issue in Delta is the opposition to the zoning of the governorship slot.
A source said: “As the PDP gears up to retain the Presidency and the governorship in Delta State, the party leadership needs to be conscious of a startling fact: In 2011, elections in Delta Central alone accounted for about 60 and 50 per cent of votes in the presidential and governorship elections.
“Zoning in Delta State has been an issue of concern among the stakeholders. Even though Delta North keeps pushing, it remains the only zone that is yet to produce a governor. Delta Central and Delta South are saying the zoning formula does not come to play as far as the 2015 elections are concerned.
“Many analysts believe President Goodluck Jonathan faces a tough reelection battle with the emergence of the All Progressives Party (APC), which is threatening PDP’s hold on the central government.
“In 2011, voter turnout in the Southeast and Southsouth was 65.8 per cent and 67.96 per cent. If Jonathan and the party must hold on to power, there must be an increase in voter turnout in the 2015 presidential election in these geopolitical zones…