Why PDP should pick presidential candidate from N/East – S/South Forum

The Dr Iyorchia Ayu-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been urged to pick the party’s presidential candidate from the North East.

• Nigerian activist, Chima Williams, wins Goldman Environmental Prize
• NIGERIA DAILY: What You Should Know About PDP Primaries

In a statement on Thursday in Abuja, Barrister Preye Johnson, Leader of the South-South Emerging Leaders Forum (SELF) said the top echelon of the PDP should not ignore the consensus arrangement reached by the Northern Elders and Leaders of Thought which produced Governor Bala Mohammed as a preferred presidential candidate from the North East.

Recall that PDP Northern Leaders, had shortlisted Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi from the North East and a former Senate President, Bukola Saraki from the North Central as preferred aspirants.

This was contained in a communique signed by former Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. Ango Abdullahi.

The South-South Forum said the North East has been marginalised in the political scheme of things, adding that Governor Muhammed should be given the opportunity on account of his youthful age, experience, character, competence, a record of performance, pedigree and loyalty to the party.

“In the North-East zone comprising Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe and Borno, PDP has equal states with the APC but the party owes its strength in the zone to Bala Mohammed who has repeatedly funded the party activities not just in Bauchi but also in Gombe and Yobe where the party is not in power,” the group said.

However, it should be known that the ruling party, All Progressives Congress has fixed Saturday and Sunday for its presidential primary where its flag-bearer for the 2023 election would emerge.