Matilda Omonaiye/
Despite claims by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention Committee on Zoning that it has no mandate to zone political offices, including President and Vice President, indication has emerged that the main opposition party may have resolved to pick its presidential candidate for the 2023 elections from the south.
This followed reports that the committee at its meeting yesterday zoned the position of national chairman of the party to the north.
The development contradicts earlier reports that the party had zoned the position to the south west.
The 44-member committee has been meeting over the zoning of party positions ahead of its national convention in October.
NewsmakersNG learnt that the committee took the decision to zone the position to the north in conformity with its rotational policy as contained in its constitution.
Yesterday’s meeting was chaired by Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, with Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom as his deputy.
Majority of the committee members reportedly took the decision to zone the position party chairman to the north.
The PDP constitution stipulates a rotational arrangement whereby power rotates between the south and the north.
Section 7:3c of the party constitution stipulates that the party shall adhere to the “policy of rotation and zoning of party and public elective offices in pursuance of the principle of equity, justice and fairness”.
Addressing newsmen after the closed-door meeting of the committee, at the Government House, Enugu, Ugwuanyi, said that “we had a fruitful meeting and we adjourned to conclude next week (Thursday)”.
The governor further stated, “Our committee is strictly limited to the PDP National Executive Offices to be contested at the 2021 PDP National Convention scheduled for the end of October, 2021.
“We have no mandate to zone political offices such as President or Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
Ugwuanyi maintained that the PDP remains the most credible platform to deliver good and accountable governance to Nigeria, adding that the work of the committee will contribute immensely “to this deliberate search for National Officers of our Party that will help PDP achieve the lofty ideals and goals of our founding fathers”.
He therefore encouraged members of the committee to be frank, open and constructive in their proposals and debates, and also exhibit consistency with the enormity of their mandate.
“The membership and leadership of this committee have been carefully selected as it is composed of very experienced, competent and eminent Nigerians who are desirous of repositioning the PDP to play its role not just as the main opposition political party in Nigeria but to build a party that offers alternative policy proposals and hope to Nigerians that there is still light at the end of the tunnel”, Ugwuanyi said.
Members of the committee present at the meeting include, the Benue State Governor, Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Barr. Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed, who serves as Secretary; former Presidents of the Senate, Senator Iyorchia Ayu and Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; and former governors of Niger, Ekiti, Sokoto, Jigawa and Adamawa states, Dr. Muazu Aliyu Babangida, Ayodele Fayose, Attahiru Bafarawa, Sule Lamido, and Boni Haruna respectively.
Others are Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), Rt. Hon. Sunday K. E. Okoye, Chief Dan Orbih, Chief Ali Odefa, Mrs. Kema Chikwe, Chief Osita Chidoka, Barr. Chidi Lloyd, Senator Bassey Ewa Henshaw, Senator Emmanuel Nwaka and Engr. Donatus Udeh.
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