PDP Chairmanship race: Party won’t survive another crisis – Mike Omogbehin

As the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) draws close, member representing Okitipupa/Irele Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Mike Omogbehin has warned against further crisis as a result of conflict of interest.
Speaking with DAILY POST in Abuja, the lawmaker expressed fears over the turn of events, where those contesting for National Chairmanship of PDP have increased in South East and South West, allaying fears, it might spur crisis if not managed.

Ahead of the convention, he said, it was better PDP jettisoned individual interest for collective interest, as the party cannot afford another crisis.
“I do not envisage another crisis in PDP because I tell you PDP will not be able to survive it. It is in the best interest that we begin to manage ourselves now and downplay individual interest”, he said.
Emphasising on the Portharcourt aborted convention, the legislator explained that national Chairmanship has already been narrowed to Southwest zone, while expressing dissapointment at the new twist.
“In the aborted Portharcourt convention, my understanding was that the Chairmanship slot has been zoned to the Southwest, but the new theory now’is that it has been zoned to the Southern Nigeria,” he noted.

He called for understanding in the forthcoming convention.
“As at today, if we want to be equitable and get things right in PDP, we should allow Southwest to produce the national Chairman”, he added.
“Havng said that and like I always insist, human and indeeds politicians are not robots, we are bound to agree, we!are bound to agree, we are boinds to negotiate issues.
“The issue of National chairmanship cannot be an exception. As we approach the national convention day, and as it affects the Southern slot, we must do that in line with our laws, constitutions and conventions.

“There are Constitutions that are conventions. There are equitable rules and unwritten agreements and if we follow these, I think we will come out of the woods one more time.
“It therefore means that any body from Southern Nigeria can contest for the Chairmanship position, either from South East or South South can contest and this is certainly not in the best interest of the party.
“South West has never produced PDP chairman and South South has just finished spending six years as President of the country.”