The zoning committee of the Peoples Democratic partyParty (PDP) has decided that the presidential ticket of the party be thrown open to all zones of the country for the 2023 elections.
According to Punch, the decision to throw open the ticket was part of the resolutions it reportedly made during its meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
If the recommendation is adopted by the National Executive Committee (NEC), aspirants from any of the six geopolitical zones could run for any elective position, including the presidency.
This is against the calls and expectations that the party should zone the presidential ticket to the South – ahead of the 2023 general election.
The panel, chaired by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, reportedly cited the exigency of time as its reason for throwing open the ticket to all interested aspirants.
While the committee noted that zoning in the party is affirmed, it said the “ticket is thrown open this time around due to exigency of time.”
“Our party is encouraged to always make the issue of zoning very clear at least six months before sales of forms. Our party should commend the efforts of some of our contestants on the issue of consensus candidacy; the efforts should be seen to a peaceful and logical conclusion.
Although he did not mention it when he addressed journalists after the meeting on Tuesday, Mr Ortom said they have unanimously adopted a position that will be sent to the National Executive Committee of the party.
“The good news for teaming supporters of the PDP and Nigerians is that we have resolved and every one of us-the 37 members, unanimously adopted the position that we are going to present to NEC.”
The resolutions by the panel will, hopefully, put to rest, controversies surrounding the zoning principle ahead of next year’s polls.
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