Main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party has broken into factions, SUNDAY PUNCH has learnt.

Already, 12 of its former governors and no fewer than 14 former ministers are leading a breakaway group, which is labelled, Concerned PDP Stakeholders Steering Committee.

The 57-man committee, named in Abuja on Saturday, is expected to take over the running of the party from May 21, when the tenure of the current members of the National Working Committee of the party comes to end.

Already, the NWC members led by the party’s National Chairman, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, are planning for the national convention scheduled to take place in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

The party is expected to elect new national officers at the convention.

The former governors, who have formed the breakaway group are Lucky Igbinedion (Edo), Bonnie Haruna (Adamawa), Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Donald Duke (Cross River), Attahiru Bafarawa (Sokoto), Mahmood Shinkafi (Zamfara), Abdulkaldir Kure (Niger), Mohammed Makarfi (Kaduna), Achike Udenwa (Imo), Babangida Aliyu (Niger) Okwesilieze Nwodo (Anambra) and Gbenga Daniel (Ogun).

They have been joined by 14 former ministers who served under the PDP-led Federal Government when the party formed the government at the centre.

The former ministers are Prof. Tunde Adeniran (Education), Inna Ciroma (Women Affairs), Adamu Maina Waziri (Police Affairs), Prof.Jerry Gana (Information), Dr. Abubakar Suleiman (National Planning), Tanimu Turaki (Special Duties), Ishola Sarafa (Solid Minirals), Zainab Maina (Women Affairs), Joseph Anenin (Women Affairs), Ojo Maduekwe (Transportation), Prof. ABC Nwosu (Health), Dubem Onyia (Foreign Affairs), Bala Mohammed (FCT) and John Odey (Environment).

However, it was gathered that the list was still being complied and that more big wigs in the party were planning to identify with the group, which is working to stop Sheriff from emerging as the national chairman of the party on May 21.

Among those who have joined the former governors and former ministers are Sen. Ibrahim Mantu, Amb. Nkoyo Toyo, Shehu Gabam, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Rabi Ibrahim, Mairo Habib, Amb. Wilberforce Juta, Ibrahim Bunu, Sen. Joseph Akaagerger, Sen. Zigo Azeez, Sen. Ben Obi, Mrs. Remi Adiukwu and Sen. Ben Obi.

Also on the list are Dr. Bolere Ketebu, Prof. Sam Oyovbaire, Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, Shittu Mohammed Kabiru, John Dara, Sen. Folashade Grace Bent, Awwal Tukur, Dr. Doyin Okupe, Dr. Patrick Okomiso, Sen. Anietie Okon, Alh. Aminu Yakudima and Mr. Nichola Msheliza.

Okupe, a former presidential spokesperson, told our correspondent on Saturday in Abuja, that the group would elect its officers next week.

He also said that the time and period of its inauguration would be determined during the week.

“The group would meet and elect its officers next week. We are serious about recovering the party from the grip of the few,” he added.

However, Sheriff had said that members of the group were “free to leave,” alleging that they never contributed to the success of the party in the first place.

He accused them of contributing to the deluge of problems facing the party now, adding that if they had worked assiduously with others in the past, perhaps, the party would not have lost power in 2015.

Sheriff, who spoke through his media aide, Inuwa Bwala, said, “Certain faceless groups have come up with different gimmicks trying to divert attention from the effects of what they did in the past leading to the squandering of the fortunes of the party, or to distract the attention of the chairman from pursuing very lofty and laudable programmes for the repositioning of the PDP or even just to cause mischief.

“Unfortunately, among such groups are self-styled elders and stakeholders led by Prof. Gana.

“I have seen him sweating on television, playing with language but at the end of the day saying nothing.



“I want to specifically say we kept sealed lips about some of the activities of this man believing that we could still find a rendezvous at which we could work together for the progress of the PDP.

“I must say, and there are witnesses, that this is one character that attempts to play role in every government since the time of the military.”

Bwala added that given his recent action, “It was glaring that Gana would not add value to the repositioning of the PDP.”.

modath:
I'm no fan but the breakaway faction are just wasting their time..... Where were they when their party couldn't pay their secretariat staff's salary?

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/07/pdp-to-reduce-staff-strength-salaries-allowances-by-50/

Fayose & others have already shopped for money long Ali Shekau, and ensured a hostile takeover...

They should name their new party a-PDP , Aggrieved Peoples Dejected Party... May God forgive Mo..

omenka:
Think I need a cold bear and a good roasted fish to digest this lovely news this lovely sunday evening.

Who's coming with me?

Reminez:

My two hands in the air !!

Mynd44:

Abi oooo. That former governor of Ogun (with running nose every time) is also there flexing non-existing muscles.

When the party was going under, they were quiet ooo.

Wait though, Deji Deyanju does not support Fayose, does this mean he is with this group or he will go form his own?

omenka:
Bwahahahaha!!! And some nincompoops were busy praying their god destroys Buhari and APC in Shakau Shekarau's house.

God has indeed answered their prayers.


Tonyebarcanista, how market?

omenka:
Bwahahahaha!!! And some nincompoops were busy praying their god destroys Buhari and APC in Shakau Shekarau's house.

God has indeed answered their prayers.


Tonyebarcanista, how market?

TonyeBarcanista:

Boss this is a very dicey issue. I remain neutral for now

omenka:
Think I need a cold bear and a good roasted fish to digest this lovely news this lovely sunday evening.

Who's coming with me?

Rose2014:
.

Rose2014:




[s]Today, i want to take time and thank GOD for making Buhari the president of this country.

At first, I did not understand why GOD allowed it to happen. But now I know and I HAVE SEEN THE BENEFIT.

This is how I understand the benefit.

Had it been Buhari did not become president:

1. We will think that by now fuel will be #45 per litre.

2. We will think that by now #1 will be equal to $1.

3. We will think that by now three million jobs would have been created.

4. We will think that by now unemployed youths would have been receiving #5,000.00 stipends.

5. We will think that by now pupils would have been getting at least a meal(including fruits) in school.

6. We will think that by now Buhari would have made his assets and liabilities public.

7. We will think that by now 720,000 jobs by the 36 states in the federation yearly (20,000 per state) would have been created.

8. We will think that by now there would be permanent peace in the Niger Delta and other conflict prone areas such as Plateau, Taraba, Bauchi, Borno and Abia.

9. We will think that by now the government would have started creating additional middle-class of at least two million new home owners in the first year in government and one million annually thereafter.

10. We will think that by now maternal and children healthcare services would be free.

The list is almost endless...
#Copied[/s]

modath:


My bloda, na so we see am.... Baba Babatope who has never been known to have anything positive to his name too join dem...

Grace Bent whose only qualification for a Senate seat is who she is married to....Donald Duke own, i sincerely don't understand, he should quit active politics and just be an objective critic of government policies.....

BTW, why are party people allergic to paying dues to finance party activities? Once nothing is coming in from the centre, things fall apart..... If they had been well grounded due paying members, Fayose & co wouldn't have sold them to a money long who has delusions of grandeur of being president simply because he is friends with two presidents..

omenka:
Seen. Thank you for your amebo.

Who send you message?

Face topic and face front.

#StillOnTheMatter.

omenka:
Think I need a cold bear and a good roasted fish to digest this lovely news this lovely sunday evening.

Who's coming with me?

modath:


Holla at one of your numerous "loves" here, I'm sure one would happily take you up on your offer & try not to look away for a second , otherwise, a squirt of cyanide would find its way into ya drink!!!

omenka:
On the day of the national convention, I suggest that the participants be housed in a bomb proof enclosure because I know some delegates would carry with them bombs and all sort of dangerous weapons. We want the public to be insulated from the immediate collateral effect of their war election.

Like someone said, the national convention is going to be the burial ceremony of the once "greatest party" in Africa.

TonyeBarcanista:

Boss this is a very dicey issue. I remain neutral for now

Rose2014:


APC n yahoo


Any post to distract the masses from their sufferhead

One tomato is N100 as I type

Mynd44:

I went through the list again and saw our uncle Doyin (formerly) Okupe's name on the register. These people to shameless.

It is not even up to a week ago since he was postrating for the hill top chief and blowing kisses as though he is homosexual.

I just wish Donald Duke had stayed out cos this won't end well………or quickly