By Gbenga Abulude
Rivers State Governor, Mr Nyesom Wike has asked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to shift conversations on the 2023 presidency away from the zoning debacle to other variables that would return the party to power.
The governor said zoning which is an arrangement to ensure rotation of political power among ethnic blocs in the country is a luxury that only the ruling party can afford.
The Governor canvassed the position while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme, Tuesday.
Wike, said when he was contesting the governorship election in 2015, there were suggestions that he should not be given the ticket of the PDP because of the zoning arrangement in the state but he was allowed to run out of necessity.
The governor said, “When I came on board, people were saying no, the position shouldn’t control us because of my ethnic group but there was an argument that we are an opposition party. What we want to do is to win elections.
“As an opposition party, we look at all variables. What will make us win the election comes first. That is what is important to us. The ruling party can use zoning to determine the next leader but for the opposition party, there are variables.”
When asked to state his position on the raging zoning debate, the governor responded, “It depends. An opposition party will look at all variables that favours the party to win. We look at all variables and our own concern is how do we win, how do we get back power.
“So, it is not one factor that will influence decisions. So, many variables will come into play. So, it will be wrong for me as an opposition person to say this must be done now. No, I will not do that.”
Mallam Mamman Daura, a nephew, and ally of the President Muhammadu Buhari stirred up a hornet’s nest last week when he stated that zoning should not determine who emerges the next President in 2023. Buhari, a northern Fulani from Katsina (Northwest) will complete his tenure in 2023 and many have been calling for a power shift to the South in what could be best described as a gentleman’s arrangement to foster peace and unity.
The quest for the next president may have already begun with different ethnic groups and zones debating why the presidency needs to come from their blocs.
