Investigations by our correspondents on Tuesday showed that there was a disagreement in the party over the deputy chairmanship zoned to the zone.
It was, however, learnt that President Goodluck Jonathan has begun moves to resolve the crisis.
A source in the Presidency said that Jonathan would meet with the PDP leaders and governors from the zone before the end of the week.
A former Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, and Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio are said to be supporting the National Organising Secretary of the party, Chief Uche Secondus, for the position.
It was learnt that Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi is prominent among governors in the zone against Secondus’ choice.
Investigation revealed that Amaechi wants the tradition in the party to be maintained.
A party source, who pleaded anonymity said, “The issue has divided the party in the zone. Some are arguing that whoever is the national vice chairman in the zone should be produced for the national deputy chairman.
“Such people have cited the South-West and North-West, which have produced national deputy chairmen. In the South-West, Bode George was a national chairman before becoming a national deputy chairman. The same thing happened in the North-West, where Haliru Mohammed was promoted national deputy chairman after serving as vice-chairman.”
It was learnt that the Anenih group insists that the constitution of the party does not specify who should become the national deputy chairman.
A source said Jonathan would meet party leaders soon, assuring that the crisis would be resolved before the convention.
The source added, “There is no cause for alarm. I can assure you that the problem will be solved. As you know the President is a firm believer in the rule of law. He will ensure justice.
“Although nobody knows the position of the President on the issue, but his body language suggests that he will call for positions and appointments given to each of the seven South-South states and ensure fairness and balancing.”
According to him, the President will ensure that the zone has a good representation at the next PDP’s national working committee.
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