More details on why the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dumped zoning to fling its presidential ticket open has continued to emerge.
The New Diplomat had earlier reported that the zoning committee of the PDP may have thrown open the presidential ticket of the party in 2023 to all aspirants. This was in contrary to the clamour by several southern groups and indeed southern political office holders that the 2023 presidency should come to the south.
While the party, in its decision hasn’t directly ruled out southern aspirants, it was gathered that the PDP decided to throw the ticket open because of ‘exigency of time.’
In a leaked document compiled by the 37-person zoning committee of the party, it was gathered that the committee based its recommendation on the high voter turnout in the North and the party’s determination to return to power.
Recall that on March 16, the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) at its 95th meeting, constituted a 37-man committee comprising members across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, saddled with the responsibility to recommend a zoning formula for the various electoral offices ahead of the 2023 General election.
Reeling out its recommendations, the committe in the leaked document stated that although zoning was affirmed in the party’s constitution, exigencies of time made it to dump the arrangement.
“Zoning, as in our party constitution, is affirmed. In spite of the above, the ticket is thrown open, this time around due to the exigency of the time.
“Our party is encouraged to always make the issue of zoning very clear at least six months before sales of forms.
“Our party should commend the efforts of some of our contestants on the issue of consensus candidacy; the efforts should be seen to a peaceful and logical conclusion,” the leaked document stated.
Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state said, “By the grace of God, we have unanimously adopted a position that will be sent to the NEC of our party that appointed us.
“The good news for teaming supporters of the PDP and Nigerians is that we have resolved and every one of us – the 37 members – unanimously adopted the position that we are going to present to NEC.”
Although Ortom was mum on the zoning formula, it was gathered that the committee would convince the NEC to throw open the presidential race to all aspirants, irrespective of their zones.
Reacting to the development, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has criticised the PDP on the decision of its zoning committee.
PANDEF in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Robinson, said the decision arrived at by the Governor Samuel Ortom-led committee would have consequences.
The statement reads, “It is an awful decision and there will be consequences. But we are not utterly surprised at the development.
“The outcome was predictable; there were evident pointers that this would be the conclusion. Governor Ortom’s Committee had a script and they have played it out, with due deference to some patriots that were in the committee.
“The level of desperation and political debauchery being demonstrated by some political stakeholders is deplorable and quite disappointing. Regrettably, we are in a society where it seems anything goes.”
