Southern governors elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has maintained their stance on the selection of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate from the zone.
Gatekeepers News reports that the Governors said this while arising from a meeting held at the Akwa Ibom State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.
The governors 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).
Abia State Governor, South East Nigeria, Okezie Ikpeazu while speaking to journalists after the meeting, drawed 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.”
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.
He said: “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.”
