ABUJA — PEOPLES Democratic Party political office holders from the South-East petitioned President Olusegun Obasanjo over what they considered the disproportionate allocation of federal board members to the zone.
Sources at the meeting convened by Senate President, Adolphus Wabara disclosed that the zonal leaders felt that the zone which returned the PDP 100% should be compensated above other geo-political zones where the party performed less satisfactorily. Also at the meeting were Governors Sam Egwu of Ebonyi, Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State, and Chris Ngige of Anambra State.
Imo and Abia States were represented by their deputy governors, respectively Chief Ebere Udeagu and Chief Chima Nwafor. Other PDP leaders including the party’s national secretary, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, Senators, members of the House of Representatives were present at the meeting which lasted more than five hours. The meeting was suspended around 4.30 p.m. reportedly for more consultations before the final drafting of the petition.
Sources at the meeting told Vanguard yesterday that the caucus leaders felt that the South-East deserved more than what was allocated to it as they questioned the rationale of giving almost similar allocations to zones which did not perform as much as the South-East during the 2003 elections.
Speaking to newsmen at the end of the meeting, Prince Ogbulafor expressed the anxiety of the South-East for an appropriate representation on federal boards commensurate with the performance of the zone in the election.
“There must be some measure of patronage to belong to the board (and) we feel that allocations should be based on performance and South-East has done very, very well compared to other zones. We are asking for fair share, we are working on it.”
He praised Senator Wabara for giving the enabling environment for the articulation of the interests of the South-East on the issue. Dr. Ngige who also briefed newsmen at the end of the meeting corroborated the desire of the South-East for a more appropriate representation on federal boards.
“For once the leaders of the Southeast spoke with one voice on an issue, there was unanimity of purpose and intention and everything.” The leaders were expected to continue the meeting last night.
