National Executive Council (NEC) of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has opted to throw the contest for its presidential ticket open rather than zone it to a particular region of the country.
National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, announced this decision on Wednesday while briefing reporters at the party’s secretariat in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) after the NEC meeting.
He informed reporters that the decision was part of the resolutions reached at the end of the 96th PDP NEC meeting, which was well attended by various party leaders.
The communique reads in part;
After a very extensive deliberation, NEC aligned with the recommendation of the PDP National Zoning Committee that the presidential election should now be left open. The Party should also work towards consensus candidate where possible.
NEC noted the recommendation of the Zoning Committee that in the interest of justice and fair play, the Party should take decision on Zoning timeously so as to prevent complications to the process.
It stated;
Date For Presidential Primary
At the meeting, the PDP NEC also adopted a date for its presidential primary and special national convention and chose former Senate President David Mark to head the organising committee.
NEC ratified the conduct of the Presidential Primary (Special National Convention) to elect our Party’s Presidential Candidate on Saturday, May 28 to Sunday, May 29, 2022, in Abuja.
NEC approved the setting up of the National Convention Organizing Committee and approved the appointment of His Excellency, Senator David Mark as Chairman, His Excellency Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as Deputy Chairman and His Excellency Barr. Ibrahim Shema as Secretary.
The party’s NEC gave the assurance of free, fair, credible, and transparent processes for the emergence of its candidates for all elective positions in the 2023 general elections.
Prior to the meeting, there were expectations that the party would zone its presidential ticket to the southern part of the country and there were calls by party leaders and supporters for it to do just that.
To determine what to do about the calls, on March 24, the PDP’s National Working Committee inaugurated a zoning committee led by Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.
The committee was tasked with the responsibility of ensuring fair distribution of the party’s elective offices across the country. It concluded its sittings on April 5 but was silent on its recommendation.
Four days later, southern governors elected on the platform of the party demanded that the presidential ticket be zoned to the region.
They kicked against the reports that the zoning committee had recommended an open contest for the top post, arguing that doing so would be deemed unjust and must be rescinded.
Their demand was not granted as NEC has decided to make it an open contest, opening the door for all those who have shown interest in running for the country’s top position on the party’s platform.
So, far Nigerians from the north and south have indicated an interest in the presidential ticket of the party.
Among those aspiring for the ticket are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Governor Nyesome Wike of Rivers State, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto, and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi.
