PDP Convention: I’m not contesting for any position – Fani-Kayode

Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, has debunked reports that he has thrown his hat into the ring, to contest the post of National Publicity Secretary, NPS, at the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, National Convention, billed for May 21.

This came as the National Executive Committee, NEC, of the PDP, on April 28, approved the retention of the chairmanship of the party to the North-East, setting the stage for continuation of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff in office. PDP NEC approved all the recommendations of its zoning committee, headed by Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State.


The NEC approved the recommendation of National Publicity Secretary to the South-West, which threw up the name of Fani-Kayode, who is known for his vociferousness and critical stance against the administration of the ruling All Progressives Congress, led by President Muhammadu Buhari. Recall that Fani-Kayode, was identified as a ‘game changer’ who gave the then opposition spokesman, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, a run for his money, when he was brought in as the Director-General for the Goodluck Jonathan/Namadi Sambo Presidential Campaign Organisation, countdown to the March 28, 2015 Presidential election. In a tweet via his Twitter handle, @realFFK, the ex-Aviation minister said: “Reports that I am interested in running for any position on the PDP’s National Executive Committee in the coming party convention are false.”

As at press time, it was not ascertained why Fani-Kayode decided not to contest for any of the positions zoned to the South-West by the PDP NEC. It could however be recalled that he was among those that opposed the emergence of Senator Alimodu Sheriff as the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, pending when a national congress is held May 21. Meanwhile, following Fani-Kayode’s decision not to contest, some youths of the party, have thrown their hats into the ring, to vie for the NPS, zoned to the South-West. Two major contenders from the zone are Lere Olayinka, the special assistant to Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose on Public Communication and New Media and Mr. Segun Sowunmi, Former DG, Jonathan/Sambo Campaign Organisation, and member of the PDP, in Ogun state.

However, the full proposed zoning arrangements are as follows:


National Chairman- North-East
Deputy National Chairman – South-South
National Secretary – South-West
Deputy National Secretary – North-Central
National Legal Adviser – North-West
Deputy National Legal Adviser – South-South
National Treasurer – South-South Deputy
National Treasurer – North-West National
Financial Secretary – North-Central
Deputy National Financial Sec. – South-East
National Woman Leader – North-West
Deputy National Woman Leader – South-South
National Auditor – South-West
Deputy National Auditor – North-East
National Publicity Secretary – South-West
Deputy National Publicity Sec. – North-Central
National Organizing Secretary – South-East
Deputy National Organizing Sec. – North-Central
National Youth Leader – South- East
Deputy National Youth Leader – North-West