Nwodo is new PDP Chairman, South-East Governors arm twist Jonathan, National Caucus, for support...

Despite the tons of baggage that came with Okwesileze Nwodo's candidature, the governors from the south east, late  Monday night succeeded in convincing President Goodluck Jonathan,and the national caucus to support him as chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

Nwodo is yet to be acquitted of complicity in the $213 million National Indentity card scandal. The case was struck out for want of diligent prosecution but not dismissed.

Top party men like Emmanuel Iwuayanwun, Ahmadu Ali, and Attorney-General,Mohammed Bello Adoke, had cautioned on the choice. While Iwuayanwun and Ali harped on wide consultation, Adoke stressed the issue of eligibility.

Nwodo had dumped the party for the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), but returned June 14, 2009. Going by Article 16, which requires 18 months membership, he is ineligible, but the pointblanknews.com learnt that the National Working Committee (NWc), would definitely cut him some slack by virtues of Article 8.9 of the party's statute.

Pointblanknews.com learnt that the decision was reached during the meeting of the national caucus with at the Presidential villa. Details of how the deal was brokered were sketchy as at press time.

The south east governors, it was learnt, insisted that the president respect their choice since it is the zone's prerogative to produce the chairman. It was however not clear if Imo Governor, Ikedi Ohakim gave his blessings.

This decision knocks out the only formidable opponent and ex Deputy vice chairman of the party, Chukwu Ozichukwu. Ozichukwu appears to be a more credible and 'safe' candidate considering the National Identity Card scandal that still hovers over the former National Secretary of the PDP.

Pointblanknews.com also learnt last night that Ex President Olusegun Obasanjo's support for Ozichukwu worked against him.

It is also believed that the south east governors, who are desperate for a second term, settled for Nwodo because of his vulnerability.

Ozichukwu,with the backing of Obasanjo, analysts believe, could be “sturbborn when the chips are down”