A contender for the National Chairmanship of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Conrad Utaan, has sought the nomination of the Benue State Working Committee as the sole nominee for the party’s top position.
This nomination is expected to be made at the National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for October.
Utaan, who met with the Ezekiel Adaji-led working committee, stated that his ambition to become the national chairman of the party is to protect the interests of the North-Central region.
During his meeting with the new state leadership on Wednesday, Utaan pointed out that the party’s constitution dictates that the vacancy left by the removal of Dr. Iyorchia Ayu last year must be filled by someone from the same region as Dr. Ayu, who hails from the Benue North-West (Zone ‘B’) Senatorial District.
In light of this, Utaan emphasized that he is the only contender from Zone ‘B’ and therefore, the Benue State Executive Committee (SEC) of the party should nominate him as the sole candidate from the state to complete the tenure of the National Chairman.
He stressed that this position belongs to the North-Central region, Benue as a state, and Benue North-West as a zone.
He also promised to remain loyal and always prioritize the party’s interests in all his decisions, whether he becomes National Chairman or not.
While stating that his visit was also to familiarize himself with the new headquarters of the party in the state, and to formally intimate the SWC of his desire to serve the party as National Chairman, Utaan
emphasized that his ambition was premised on unwavering loyalty and belief in the party’s culture of equity, fairness and justice to all of its members.
He said, “By the zoning arrangement in the party, and in the wisdom of its leaders, the position of National Chairman in 2022 was given to the North-Central and Benue North-West in particular.
“And it is only fair and equitable that someone from the zone fill the existing vacancy and serve out the tenure, as to do otherwise would be to shortchange the party’s members in the zone.
He further said, “My ambition is primarily to safeguard the interest of the North-Central and not a personal one,” and promised to abide by the decision taken by the national leadership of the party in line with its Constitution.
During his visit, the aspirant donated computers, printers, television sets, Digital Satellite Television systems among other items, to the Secretariat.
In his response, the State Chairman, of the party, Ezekiel Adaji commended the aspirant for his courage and clarity of thought and assured him of the support of the SWC.
Adaji charged the aspirant to continue his consultation and keep in regular touch with party leaders and stakeholders in and outside the state.
In their separate remarks, State Secretary, Dan Nyikwagh; State Treasurer, Tivkaa Zuana; State Publicity Secretary, Tim Nyor; State Auditor, Ms. Vera Akua; State Financial Secretary, Emmanuel Adokwu; and State Vice Chairman for Benue South (Zone ‘C’), Augustine Ikeke, all extolled the qualities of the PDP National Chairmanship aspirant, whom they variously lauded as intelligent, courageous and fit to be entrusted with the party’s top job.
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