Members of the Peoples Democratic Party’s(PDP) National Executive Committee have voiced differing opinions over whether the party should abide by the zoning provisions of its constitution or let the majority rule govern in the run-up to the 2027 presidential election.
This comes after one of the party’s chieftains, Olabode George, recently advised the party’s leadership that the PDP should follow the zoning principle and choose its presidential candidate from the south if it hopes to establish the next administration.
In a recent interview with our correspondent, George said that the PDP’s founders saw the rotation of elective posts as a solution to the pointless power struggles among Nigeria’s ethnic groups.
In another interview with Sunday PUNCH, Diran Odeyemi, a PDP NEC member, concurred with George that it was crucial to take a stance on zoning before the 2027 election.
He claimed that doing so would give the party direction.
“If there is a general consensus that the national chairmanship of the party should stay in the north, then our presidential candidate will have to come from the south. I think there is a zoning committee to guide the party, and this will help greatly in the convention planned for the later part of this year,” he stated.
“Wike needs the party as much as the party needs him. I do believe that if we reconcile with him, our party will be stronger for it. He is angry, but we need to listen to him and do the right thing. Reconciliation is part of the processes used in building and stabilising political parties,” Odeyemi added.
However, Timothy Osadolor, the party’s current Deputy National Youth Leader, did not agree with Goerge’s stance.
In an interview with news correspondent, the Benin-born politician said, “I do not believe we need to stifle democracy. We are where we are today because of our inclination to promote ethnic and religious sentiments.
“There is nothing wrong with the south producing our presidential candidate in 2027 if NEC agrees with this and the position is ratified at an elective convention.
“However, democracy must be about the people, and must be allowed to win. The PDP should be thinking of who can help Nigeria to solve its problems, regardless of where such a person comes from.
“Today, many Nigerians see Bola Tinubu as a Yoruba President because of the lopsidedness of his appointments, just like his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari did. There are capable hands in the south and members of our party who can take this country to new heights, but we have to decide what is good for us,” he said.
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