By Chuks Okocha

Following the disqualification of the Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Timipre Sylva, from contesting the state governorship election next year under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), despite the rounds of appeal and intervention by the PDP governors, there appears to be an imminent showdown between the governors and the party leadership.

The governors had argued that only the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party has the sole powers to disqualify any aspirant. But party leaders explained that the National Working Committee (NWC) was acting on behalf of NEC of the party.

Also, the just concluded registration of new members and review of the party’s constitution will feature prominently in the two meetings scheduled for December 21 to 22.

The NWC of the party had directed that a meeting of the National Executive Committee as well as the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the party be summoned for December 21. The governors were said to have expressed displeasure that their intervention came to naught, as the party has long held its primary election where another aspirant, Hon. Seriake Dickson, emerged as the party’s flag bearer.

The meeting, which would also seek to tackle other crisis bedevilling the party, is also expected to ultimately advise on the way forward.


Also, both the BoT and NEC meeting of the party would also ratify the amendment of the committee set up to review the constitution of the party and the just concluded registration of new members of the party.

According to a statement signed by the Acting National Secretary of the party, Dr. Musa Babayo, the BoT meeting will hold on December 21, while the NEC meeting is expected to hold on December 22.

The BoT meeting will also discuss the report of the seven-man committee, which discussed the lack of discipline in the party, especially the implication of the emergence of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, and his deputy, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, against the party’s decision.

Also, the BoT meeting, it was gathered will discuss the various guidelines for the next national convention of the party and the aspirants desiring to become the next national chairman of the party.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is expected to chair the BoT meeting, which is the 38th session of the advisory body, while the Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, would serve as the chairman of the NEC meeting.