By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Following the deafening clamour that power should go to the South, Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal has advised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to overlook its zoning postulations and concentrate on winning the presidency in 2023.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives voiced out that demography will play a critical role in the forth coming elections, adding that the opposition party should do everything possible and map out a strategy that will enable it win the general election before thinking of sharing power.
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Governors Forum made the disclosure during a consultative meeting with former presiding officers of States and House of Representatives at the ballroom of the Fraser Suites in Abuja.
Tambuwal reminded the PDP of how the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015 ignored zoning and decided on retaining the presidential slot in Katsina from where late President Yar’adua hailed for strategic reasons.
“You can share tickets because you can tear it up but you must plan to win. PDP must accept this reality. The ticket must be balanced as zoning or any Muslim-Muslim ticket or Christian-Christian ticket would be dead on arrival and recipes for disaster,” he said.
Looking at how the last governorship and House of Representatives elections were contested and won in Anambra and Plateau States respectively, he reported that demography was a key factor in the volume of voted that was casted in both elections, calling on the party to study past demographic voting befor it zero’s in on a Presidential candidate for the 2023 general election.
Tambuwal argued that making him the standard-bearer would secure the party’s hold on the Presidency which would, in turn, pave the way for appointing members to important positions.
He noted that the APC had a stronghold in the North, with 16 governors; while the PDP had the same positions in the South, which meant the opposition party would have to “think well, plan well and win this election.”
In his contribution, former Publicity of the party, Olisa Metuh said that Tambuwal possesses all the qualities needed to build a modern society. He said that he will commit all his resources to ensure the emergence of Tambuwal as the candidate of PDP.
Also adding his voice, former governor of the State, Attahiru Bafarawa said that Tambuwal is a seasoned politicians whose administration at the National Assembly was outstanding. He argued that the aspirant has written his name in gold in Sokoto state with legacy projects littered in various corners of the state.
He called on all party members to support the aspiration of Tambuwal.
