Uncertainty is mounting in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as governors of Southern States last night maintained their stance on the selection of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate from the zone. 

Rising from a meeting held at the Akwa Ibom State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro,  Abuja,  they vehemently stressed the need for the main opposition party to stick to its founding principles of equity and justice. 

Present at the meeting were the host governor, Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu), Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia). 

Ikpeazu spoke to journalists after the meeting, drawing the attention of the world to the earlier position taken by the Southern governors on the zoning of the presidency to the South. 

He said the governors are standing firm on the resolution, which he said no reason to change. 

Ikpeazu stated: “Gentlemen, we have watched with keen interest the developments in our party, especially concerning zoning. 

“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 a strong and viable vehicle 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 to 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 are important pillars that will ultimately stabilise our politics towards our journey in rescuing Nigeria. 

“This is our position and that is why we have met today.” 

He dismissed suggestions that opening the ticket will enhance the PDP’s chances of winning the 2023 presidential poll, saying, “You haven’t told me why zoning we not give us victory.” 

The governor however refused to be drawn to speculation as he insisted: “We don’t want to work on speculation.” 

He also pushed back on the idea that having already allowed aspirants from all sections of the country to purchase nomination forms, it will be unfair to zone the presidency to a particular section, the stating: “Let me tell you something, if you want to take a position of policy, you don’t look at problems in their face and take a decision. 

“You take a decision and remain firm on that decision. We think what this country is lacking today is our ability to dispense equity and justice. It may be difficult, it may be a bitter pill but we need to stand by the truth. 

“See, I speak and I want to reiterate the position of the Southern governors. It is not my duty to speculate on what others are doing. But you must ask yourself, what is the truth? What it is, is that if we do it today  we serve with fairness, equity and justice.” 

The governors’ latest remarks come amid the inability of the Governor Sam Ortom-led Zoning Committee to arrive at a definite stance on the issues.

After its deliberations,  the Committee recommended three options to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party including zoning the presidency to the South,  throwing the ticket open or allowing the NEC to take a final position on their own. 

Fourteen aspirants in all have so far purchased the expression of interest and nomination forms to vie for the PDP presidential ticket.

https://tribuneonlineng.com/2023-uncertainty-in-pdp-as-southern-governors-reject-open-ticket/?utm_source=&utm_medium=twitter

Lalasticlala
Mynd44

God bless PDP southern governors for standing up for what is right. There is absolutely no justification for some power hungry northerners like Atiku to be insisting on retaining power in the north after 8 years of Buhari administration.

freshkpomo

After PMB's 8years, Northern PDP stakeholders want a northerner to succeed PMB.

They finally want to destroy PDP. Goodluck to them.

It’s good they are taking definitive stance on the matter.

But they should also be particular about the zone it’s going to in the south.

It’s the turn of Southeast and that’s non-negotiable

In Peter Obi we trust

That is the right thing to do. Atiku should support peter obi

Ortom fall my hand seriously But he is a Northerner Governor last last and he will work for them
Power is coming down South last last

If u like zone Igbo minorities no go still collect
Marginalized till war do us part
Before that them go collect pass woto woto

Damnnn niggar
Pdp should put thier house in order lets kick them apc balls

I believe this zoning of a thing will be the reason why PDP is going to lose the 2023 Presidential election. APC will capitalize if PDP makes any error

In a sane country PDP n APC shld hv been history now

Good ,it can't reach the turn of the south and you will tell us to throw it open. Mbanu

Trash talk!


An opposition party that doesn't have power cant be talking of zoning.

You primary responsibility is bringing your best candidate to contest.

The main problem with this zoning is that, this people know the right thing but they want the open ticket because the northerners are the ones supplying them with the most money to sustain the party....so it's between doing the right thing and choosing my party main bank roller

Atiku is their best bet.

SouthEast aspirant or we scatter PDP

22 years of worshipping PDP like a religion and getting called 5%ters, facing Marginalisation and insults online and offline

PDP must zone their ticket to SouthEast...

MUST!!!


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It should go to the southern part of Nigeria. I think that's better.

Don't mind the Northern leadership, their greed is what plunged Nigeria into backwardness.
2023 a Southern Christian must be President

Why is Godwin Obaseki always conspicuously missing during these meetings

Anything apart from atiku and tinibu is welcome, whether South or North, PDP or APC....as long as u ve the interest of the common man.....

Why are they afraid of atiku?

The mindset of our entitlement blothers from rising cannibalism is so distasteful and demeritorious.
A big opportunity to claim what you have been clamouring for present itself and instead to speak with one voice the cowards already know even if the ticket is zoned to knw that they can never win any presidency election in Nigeria.

Otherwise, why are Igbo so afraid to go for a South-Eastern presidency from PDP. ?
Your answer is as correct as mine.
Cowards and conscience judging them that they have no single ally for national political support.

Suffice to say, why are they now playing the politics of. If I can't win them, I will rather destroy them.

Nice one. Nigeria did not belong to the north alone. If you check carefully, the north are not adding any value to this country in terms of resources both human and natural. They consumed like a parasite from the south and instead of showing loyalty, they are paying back with bandist, boko haram and herdsmen. These three deadly terrorists groups were birthed by northern politicians. So who are they fooling or deceiving? The south should wake up very fast before is late

WATCHOVER:
Don't mind the Northern leadership, their greed is what plunged Nigeria into backwardness.
2023 a Southern Christian must be President

why? Pdp had 14 years of southern presidents while the north only had 2 years. How would someone think the north that formed pdp will sit and watch south going for another 8 years totalling 22years for the south?

Miracle2022:
why? Pdp had 14 years of southern presidents while the north only had 2 years. How would someone think the north that formed pdp will sit and watch south going for another 8 years totalling 22years for the south?

Am for Nigerians not Party

Stupid talk and meeting. Who among them can compete integrity to integrity, financal to financial and population wise with Tinubu the bullion van man? I am sure most of them canvassing for such are working for the ruling party or have taken their own shares from the bullion van master. NO TO ZONING.

iCauseTrouble:
I believe this zoning of a thing will be the reason why PDP is going to lose the 2023 Presidential election. APC will capitalize if PDP makes any error

Are you still going to vote APC after all this hardship?

Burruchaga71:
Are you still going to vote APC after all this hardship?

APC is not responsible for your hardship as APC is not an individual.... Hold Buhari , Zainab Ahmed and Emeifiele responsible for Economic downturn and Buhari with his service chief for Insecurity


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The situation in PDP is kinda dicey,of the 16yrs that they were in power a southerner was the president so the northern aspirants believe it is only right that the ticket goes to the north.

Daggash98:
Stupid talk and meeting. Who among them can compete integrity to integrity, financal to financial and population wise with Tinubu the bullion van man? I am sure most of them canvassing for such are working for the ruling party or have taken their own shares from the bullion van master. NO TO ZONING.

Is party supreme to aspiration of 41 million Ibo people from southeast geopolitical zone?!

So if PDP fields Boko haram leader , Meyetti Allah leader or Buhari again then you would vote them in because you desperately want power for PDP?!


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Make una no gree...oh