"Wrongly associated" doesn't mean "didn't happen"

He actually repeated the whole joke in the letter. Gbam!! Loves it

afam4eva: I still prefer the speech Patience Jonathan gave at the PDP convention in 2011.

Respectfully, Mr. President has got it very wrong. "Zoning" of elective offices is indeed unconstitutional as it contravenes the very democratic principle which warrants elections- government derived by the people.
HOWEVER, "zoning" is actually the innovation of he PDP as a means to equitably devise a method for presenting candidates for election across the geo-political regions.  The concept is clearly enshrined in the party constitution to include ALL elective offices without exception (see Article 7.2.c-PDP CONSTITUTION)
Mr. President says only offices upon which PDP has "reasonable control" can be zoned, and proceeds to list the offices of the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives as examples. These offices are elective as well. They are elected by their peers. The "reasonable control" PDP has is to influence the vote of their National Assembly members. This is similar to the Presidential Primaries where PDP delegates vote for the party flag-bearer for Presidential Elections. The party executive decides on a suitable region and influences the delegates on which region is being supported and the delegates vote accordingly.
That is why cases abound where a position is zoned to one region but contested for by individuals belonging to other regions. The party wont stop you but can influence the outcome, It is a party affair and stops at the primary level. This is precisely what transpired in 2007 which culminated in the success of the Yar'Adua/Jonathan ticket.
As Mr. President ascribes to the tennants of the PDP and is seeking the mandate of the members thereof, he should be more respectful of the stipulations of their constitution.

Respectfully, Mr. President has got it very wrong. "Zoning" of elective offices is indeed unconstitutional as it contravenes the very democratic principle which warrants elections- government derived by the people.
HOWEVER, "zoning" is actually the innovation of he PDP as a means to equitably devise a method for presenting candidates for election across the geo-political regions.  The concept is clearly enshrined in the party constitution to include ALL elective offices without exception (see Article 7.2.c-PDP CONSTITUTION)
Mr. President says only offices upon which PDP has "reasonable control" can be zoned, and proceeds to list the offices of the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives as examples. These offices are elective as well. They are elected by their peers. The "reasonable control" PDP has is to influence the vote of their National Assembly members. This is similar to the Presidential Primaries where PDP delegates vote for the party flag-bearer for Presidential Elections. The party executive decides on a suitable region and influences the delegates on which region is being supported and the delegates vote accordingly.
That is why cases abound where a position is zoned to one region but contested for by individuals belonging to other regions. The party wont stop you but can influence the outcome, It is a party affair and stops at the primary level. This is precisely what transpired in 2007 which culminated in the success of the Yar'Adua/Jonathan ticket.
As Mr. President ascribes to the tennants of the PDP and is seeking the mandate of the members thereof, he should be more respectful of the stipulations of their constitution.