2023: PDP Makes U-Turn, Rejects Zoning Of Presidential Ticket

The zoning committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has resolved to make the party’s presidential ticket an open contest for all regions of the country.

The 37-member PDP zoning committee led by Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom was set up on 16 March and inaugurated on 24 March, 2022, to determine suitable zoning formula for the 2023 presidential election.

The committee which met on Tuesday at Abuja said its decision to throw the presidential ticket open to candidates from all regions in the country was based on the exigency of time, even as it maintained that zoning remains an acceptable practice as stipulated in the party’s constitution.

Many card-carrying members of the PDP had stated at different times that there is an existing zoning arrangement between the North and South starting from 1999 when the country return to democratic government.

The Southeast on the basis of that arrangement have been clamouring for the presidential ticket to be zoned to the region, arguing that it would address injustice and inequity in power sharing among the geo-political zone, as it has neither produced a president nor vice president since 1999.

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The Ortom-led zoning committee, however, said it would prefer consensus option if it works out.

The committee made a four-point recommendation thus:
1. Zoning, as enshrined in our party constitution, is affirmed.

2. In spite of (1) above, (the) ticket is thrown Open, this time around due to exigency of time.

3. Our Party is encouraged to always make the issue of zoning very clear at least 6 months before sale of forms.

4. 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.

Some observers said the idea of zoning was jettisoned the moment former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar declared his interest to contest for presidency.