PDP picks Abuja for convention, NEC decides zoning Wednesday

The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party says it  has decided to hold its special national convention, where it will pick its presidential candidate, in Abuja.

The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Debo Ologunagba, confirmed this over the weekend to newsmen.

“We have decided to hold the convention, where our candidate will emerge, in Abuja. That was where the National Working Committee chose, but the National Executive Committee will ratify it at our meeting on Wednesday,” he said.

It was reported that though there were efforts by lobbyists to attract the convention to their states, this was met with stiff reject by the party's leadership.

According to its timetable, the presidential candidate of the main opposition party will emerge on May 29.

In its ‘Schedule of Activities and Timetable for the Year 2022/2023 Elections’ released last month and signed by the National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, the party said its presidential primary would commence on May 28. It was  silent on the venue.

There were 17 presidential candidates in the party, but two of them were dropped after their screening in Abuja on Friday.

The party has yet to reveal the identities of those cleared and disqualified from the race.

The aspirants included a former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, and two former Senate Presidents, Bukola Saraki and Pius Anyim.

Others were governors Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, and Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State.

Also on the list were two former state governors, Peter Obi of Anambra State and Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State.

Those who also bought the N40m nomination and expression of interest forms for the race were Dele Momodu, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, Sam Ohuabunwa, Ugwu Okwudili, Chikwendu Kalu, Ndukwe Cosmos, Nwachukwu Amakwenze and Mrs Oliver Tariela Diana.