There are indications that the next chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party may emerge through consensus.
The Board's Secretary, Senator Walid Jibril, however said only members of the board could take a decision on the issue.
But a member of the Board, who spoke on condition of anonymity in Abuja on Sunday, said there was no way the party and the Board would allow the BoT chairman to emerge through election.
He said since the history of the party, none of the Board's chairmen had emerged through election.
He added, “I can tell you that we won't hold election on January 8, 2012.
“The tradition is that one of us will just nominate one of the contestants and will be seconded by people.
“Before then, we would have noticed who President Goodluck Jonathan wants as the chairman and what we will do is just to queue behind such a person.
“No member of the Board will have the temerity to oppose the President's candidate, when he (the President) will also be present during the meeting where the chairman will be elected.
“It has never happened in the history of the party that we will be raising hands to elect the chairman of the Board.”
Jibril, however, said there was no pressure from any quarters to vote for a particular candidate for now, adding that the Bot was also not thinking of a consensus candidate.
He said this could only happen if all the candidates agree to produce one.
“Only the members who are contesting can tell if there will be a consensus candidate, but the Board will not impose anyone,” he added.
Meanwhile, Chief Don Etiebet has joined those aspiring to head the Board.
He was said to have informed Jibril about his willingness to lead the Board before the close of nomination.
Others, who have applied for the position of the chairman of the Board are a former Minister of Works, Chief Tony Anenih; a former National Chairman of the party, Senator Ahmadu Ali, and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Also in the race are the former President of the Senate, Senator Ken Nnamani, and a former National Deputy Chairman of the party (South), Chief Shuaib Oyedokun.
Jibril said there were about 20 people who had signified their intention to occupy the position.
Their fate will be decided by the 98 members of the Board on January 8.
Though, the position is meant for only members of the Board, Jibril, said non- members of the Board also applied.
The position of the chairman became vacant following the resignation of former President Olusegun Obasanjo in April.
