Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says the state of origin of Nigeria’s president has never been a problem or solution to Nigeria’s challenges.
“Where the president comes from has never been the problem of Nigeria and I can cite examples. Neither will it be the solution.
“There is no such thing like he is a president from southern Nigeria, or a president from northern Nigeria. There is only one president; a president from Nigeria, for Nigeria and by Nigerians.’’
Abubakar made the assertion in Abuja on Thursday while addressing the 94th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP.
He called for a spirit of fairness and justice in making zoning decisions at the party’s forthcoming national convention and the 2023 general elections.
He said that decisions taken at the Abuja meeting would determine whether or not the PDP would return to power in 2023.
“The decision of NEC today will either see the PDP into the Villa in 2023 or not.
“The PDP has the right to determine its rules and how the party should be governed. The people of Nigeria also have the right to determine who governs them,’’ he noted.
He added that he looked forward to a sizeable number of PDP youths and women at the next National Working Committee (NWC) meeting of the party.
“Talking about inclusions, I will like to see a new NWC of our great party that has sizable numbers of our youth and women.
Abubakar said that since inception, PDP had faced serious challenges and had risen above sentiments to solve those challenges and moved forward.
He recalled that those who served at the constitutional conference, which drafted the current Constitution of Nigeria, met after finishing their work and resolved to correct the injustice that was done to a particular part of the country.
He said that because the election won by late Moshood Abiola was annulled, it was agreed that all members of the constitution drafting conference should ensure the presidential candidate of their party came from the Southwest.
He said that was because, not only was the election annulled, Abiola was also killed.
“So, we all agreed as members, and we went out of the constitutional conference and we formed our parties.
“At the end of the day, two parties emerged. The PDP picked Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo and the Alliance for Democracy picked Chief Olu Falae.
“All of these show you that Nigerians have a sense of fairness,’’ he stressed.
