The Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded plans to meet on Wednesday night in Abuja, as part of efforts to prevent division in the forthcoming National Convention of the party.
It was also learnt that the governors meeting on Wednesday will come up with a secret ‘unity list’ ahead of the convention.
Several sources close to top members of the APC told our correspondents Monday that the need for the meeting of governors became necessary because “some members of the party are working on different agenda which may lead to either walk-out by the aggrieved members or total parallel National Convention.”
One of the sources close to the secretariat of APC governors forum said: “The APC governors will be meeting Wednesday night at Imo governor’s lodge to decide on the final list or what you may call unity list of aspirants that will make it into the new National Working Committee (NWC).”
Another top member of APC who also confided in our correspondent on the tussle between governor Okorocha and his kinsman, Izunazo, said: “Bear in mind that there is an ongoing tussle between the outgoing NWC and the various committees, particularly the Appeals committee headed by Governor Okorocha on who decides the final list of aspirants.
“Governor Okorocha has an axe to grind with some members of NWC who are seeking to return at the Saturday’s convention, top among them is the outgoing National Organising Secretary Sen. Osita Izunazo.
“As it is now Sen. Izunazo has seven petitions against him from his home state, though some of these petitions are alleged to be sponsored by the Imo state governor, who accidentally is the Chairman of the Convention Appeal sub-committee.”
It was gathered that Izunazo was battling to present his case when he appeared before governor Okorocha-led panel.
Recall that governor Okorocha at the weekend told newsmen that there were petitions against the outgoing NWC members bordering on fairness in re-present themselves for elections at the coming convention.
On the unity list, Blueprint learnt that the governors insisted that they should be allowed to produce National officers who will be representing their individual state at the NWC, hence the need to harmonise the list.
Having adopted the former governor of Edo state Adams Oshiomohle as their chairmanship candidate, the governors, it was gathered were plotting to include the names of their preferred other national officers in the said unity list.
Apart from the presidency, National leader of APC Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former APC interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and many other governors have visited the Oshiomohle’s campaign office in Abuja to publicly declare their support for his candidature.
