* NWC moves to avert crisis in Southwest

Ahead of Saturday, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has constituted a screening committee for its aspirants for the North-West Zonal Executive Committee positions.

Starnews Nigeria reports that the party is however silent on the proposed southwest zonal congress which has currently heated up the polity.

Starnews Nigeria had earlier reported that a source at the meeting of NWC of the PDP confided in our correspondent that after a long deliberation over the issues of southwest zonal congress, considering the consequences of disobeying a court order as an opposition party, the PDP decided to ignore the threat by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and postponed the southwest Zonal Congress till after the determination of the suit before the law court.

The latest development may not be unconnected to the above, Starnews Nigeria can report.

A statement by the PDP National Organising Secretary, retired Col. Austin Akobundu, in Abuja on Wednesday, said that the North-West Zonal Executive Committee would be chaired by Alhaji Shehu Agaie.

Akobundu said that the NWC also approved the nomination of Alhaji Baba Iyali as Secretary, while Sen. Grace Bent, Hon. Nura Amadi and Dr Danladi Abdul-Hameed are members.

According to him, the screening exercise will hold on Thursday, April 8, at the party’s Zonal Headquarters, Kaduna, Kaduna State.

Meanwhile, due to the uncertainty and controversy bedevilling its planned congress in southwest, the party is now involved in a frantic effort to bring together the contending sides in the Zone including Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde and former Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose.

According to a statement by Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, the meeting will be scheduled which will also involve the National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus other members of the NWC and the Senator Bukola Saraki-led National Reconciliation Committee.

The PDP said it took the decision after an extensive meeting and has scaled up processes for reconciliation and as it affects the zone.