PDP: Ortom edges Mark out of chairmanship race, 2 former Senate leaders, ex-gov contest

Former Sen. President David Mark earlier thought to be one of the most favored candidates for the party’s national chairmanship is out of the race.

Of the three candidates the North, to which the position falls, is presenting, according to sources, one, from the same state as Mark, is a candidate of Benue Gov. Sam Ortom.

The governor has been pushing ex-Sen. President Iyorcha Ayu right from the moment Mark was gaining attention as a suitable replacement for Uche Secondus who stepped aside following a court order.

The two others are from the northwest and northeast: Ibrahim Shema, former Katsina Governor (North-West) and ex-Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi (North-East).

The PDP national convention coming up October 30 will determine who eventually takes the seat.

Ayu, too, may not find it easy because of vested interests from the north central.

As the position has been zoned to the north, presidency, many believe, will fall to the south—a problem form former Sen President Bukola Saraki. And a worse situation still if his region, the north central, gets the chairmanship.

It will be hard for the middle belt to just cart away the two highest offices in the party.