2023: Crisis looms in PDP as Southern Governors insist on zoning

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors from the South are insisting that the Presidential ticket of the party must be zoned to the South.

The Governors said this after a meeting that lasted over three hours at the Akwa Ibom Governor’s lodge in Asokoro, Abuja, on Friday.

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They said for equity and justice, “we feel that the best thing to do is zone the presidency to the South, and we stand on that position.”

The Governors that met in Abuja were Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Douye Diri (Bayelsa) and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu).

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta were absent.

Ikpeazu, who is the Vice Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum, spoke on behalf of his counterparts, arguing that those against zoning have not actually told anyone, “why zoning will not give us victory.”

At separate meetings in Lagos and Delta last year, Southern Governors had demanded that the presidency should be zoned to the region.

The latest agitation of the governors is coming after indications that the 37-member zoning committee set up by the 95th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party has decided to throw open the presidential ticket.

Even though the Chairman of the committee and Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, said the resolution of the committee would be sent to NEC, Daily Trust reliably gathered that the committee jettisoned zoning in view of the inability of members to agree on the way forward.

Addressing journalists after the meeting in Abuja, Ikpeazu said, “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 strong and viable 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 zone the presidency to the South, and we stand on that position.

“We have not seen any reason to change our position, because the party was founded on the basis of equity and justice. And we also think that equity and justice is an important pillar that will ultimately stabilise our politics towards our journey in rescuing Nigeria. This is our position and that is why we have met today.”

Asked what would happen to aspirants outside the zone who have purchased forms, he said “If you want to take a position of policy, you don’t look at problems in their face and take decision. You take a decision and remain firm on that decision. We think what is lacking in this country today is our ability to dispense equity and justice. It may be difficult, it may a bitter pill but we need to stand with the truth.”