The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State is embroiled in a zoning controversy following a decision to assign the state chairman position to the Abia North senatorial zone.
This move came during a party caucus meeting held on Sunday.
The decision to maintain the zoning arrangement was made by Chikwendu Kanu, the former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, and was seconded by Senator Adolphus Wabara, the former Senate President. This decision followed the adoption of recommendations by the PDP committee on rotation and zoning.
A statement released by Abraham Amah, the Vice Chairman acting as Publicity Secretary, explained that the move reflects the party’s commitment to “equitable representation and the distribution of leadership positions within the state.”
The statement details the rotation: “The state caucus subsequently zoned the Chairmanship to Abia North, with positions previously held by Abia South moving to Abia North, those held by Abia North moving to Abia Central, and those held by Abia Central moving to Abia South.”
Some PDP members lauded the zoning formula for promoting stability and fairness. Others from Abia North voiced discontent, demanding that the gubernatorial slot to be zoned to their region, citing the “injustice” of the 2023 elections where they believe an imposed candidate led to poor performance.
According to a party chieftain from Bende LGA, Abia North, Ogbo Kalu, the poor performance in 2023 was a result of candidate imposition and injustice towards Abia North.
“The zoning of the PDP chairmanship to Abia North is not what Abia North deserves. I tell you that it cannot assuage the injustice our party did to Abia North. We deserve the gubernatorial ticket,” he said.