*Clears way for Atiku, Tambuwal, Saraki, 12 other northern aspirants
*David Mark to head its National Convention Committee
By Myke Agunwa
Ahead of the 2023 general election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has discarded, like the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), throwing open its presidential ticket to all the zones in the country.
The decision was a culmination of the adoption of the report of the party’s National zoning committee headed by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State.
Multiple sources at the meetings confirmed to our correspondent in Abuja Thursday that arriving at the decision did not come easily as the party’s caucus had to sweat over it, shifting the duration of its meeting severally before the decision got its endorsement.
With the development, all the 15 presidential aspirants of the PDP are now free to contest for the ticket without the moral burden of zoning.
The 15 presidential aspirants are former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim; one of his successors, Dr. Bukola Sarak; former Speaker of the House of Representatives and current Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi; former Chairman of Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa; renowned journalist, Dele Momodu; political chieftain and founding member of PDP, Chief Nwachukwu Anakwenze; Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel; his Rivers State counterpart, Nyesom Wike and the Bauchi State Governor, Alhaji Bala Mohammed.
Others are: industrialist, Alhaji Mohammed Hayatu-Deen; former Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose; Cosmos Ndukwe, founding member of PDP, Chief (Barr.) Charles Ugwu; Chikwendu Kalu, and Tariele Diana Oliver (the only female aspirant).
The decision to dump zoning was taken after several meetings of the PDP which included: The Governors’ Forum, the Caucus, the Board of Trustees and the National Executive Committee (NEC), held yesterday in Abuja.
The NEC meeting named former Senate President, David Mark, as the Chairman of its National Convention Committee slated for 28th and 29th of this month (May) in Abuja.
The NEC meeting ended yesterday at about 10.15pm.
The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Hon Debo Ologunagba, was still being expected to brief the Media as at press time.
Earlier in his remarks, the PDP National Chairman, Sen. Iyorchia Ayu, harped on the need for party leaders to remain united.
Ayu said: “In the spirit of the party, we’re not only getting more united, we’re also working harder.
“And I believe that with this spirit, we’ll definitely do very well in the forthcoming elections and nothing will stop us from taking over power come May next year.
“So, I urge you all to continue with same the enthusiasm to resolve differences within the party among ourselves to make sure we work hard at the grassroots level with the same enthusiasm we displayed here in Abuja”.
