As the general election approaches, governors from the South running on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform have asked that the 2023 presidential ticket be allocated to the South for fairness and equity.
WITHIN NIGERIA reports that the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom-led 37-man PDP zoning committee had earlier reportedly recommended that the 2023 ticket be thrown open.
The PDP Southern Governors emphasized their commitment to the party’s unity during a meeting in the early hours of Saturday in Akwa Ibom House, Abuja.
They claimed that zoning the presidential ticket to the South was the greatest thing for the party’s unity.
On behalf of his colleagues, Vice Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Okezie Ikpeazu, stated that they have been closely monitoring events in the party, particularly with regard to zoning.
He stated that “our position is that first, we are committed to the unity of our party and we have worked hard to make sure that this party remains a strong and viable vehicle to rescue Nigeria come 2023.
“Be that as it may, we want to draw your attention to the fact that we have agreed as Southern Governors in Lagos and also in Delta that this party has to respect the zoning principle as enshrined in our Constitution, and to that effect, we feel that the best thing to do is to zone the presidency to the South, and we stand on that position.”
He continued, “we have not seen any reason to change our position, because the Party was founded based on equity and justice. And we also think that equity and justice an important pillars that will ultimately stabilize our politics towards our journey in rescuing Nigeria.
“This is our position and that is why we have met today”.
On media reports that the zoning committee threw it open because of the number of aspirants that have already purchased the forms, he lambasted the committee for taking a critical decision based on that
He said: “Let me tell you something, if you want to take a position of policy, you don’t look at problems in their face and take a decision. You take a decision and remain firm on that decision.
“We think what this country is lacking today is our ability to dispense equity and justice. It may be difficult, it may be a bitter pill but we need to stand with the truth”.
The meeting was attended by the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri and Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
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