PDP chairmanship: Dokpesi, Bode George pick forms

Ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention scheduled for August 17 in Port Harcourt, PDP chairmanship aspirant, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, yesterday picked the party's chairmanship nomination form, against the zoning arrangement of the party leaders from the South.

Dokpesi's son picked the nomination form on behalf of his father.

Recall that the Southern PDP members made up of governors, National Assembly members and other had on Thursday met and decided to zone the chairmanship position to South-west.

It was gathered that Dokpesi and few others had disagreed with the arrangement prompting the leaders to put the arrangement to vote.

It was further gathered that 92 persons voted at the meeting and while 89 voted in support of the arrangement to zone the chairmanship to south-west, three voted against.

Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, had said that despite the zoning of the positions, any party member willing to contest any position was free to do, but advised party members from Southern Nigeria to respect the zoning formula.

Meanwhile, former Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Bode George has also picked the nomination form to contest the chairmanship position.

Addressing newsmen shortly after picking his form, George said he will stabilise the party if voted for, calling on members of the party, who left in anger to return as they were tenants in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said: "It takes an experience captain to stabilise a ship hit by tornado. And if you know the crisis in PDP‎ that is the position the party is facing right now. But I am happy that all is not lost, and the condition has been enhanced, zoning has gone extremely well.