A 37-man committee set up by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to resolve the zoning standoff in the party will throw open the presidential race in respect of the 2023 elections.
POLITICS NIGERIA learnt that more than half of the committee members have subscribed to the zero zoning arrangement – to enable all aspirants to participate in the primary exercise during which a presidential candidate will pop up.
Contrarily, on Tuesday, a pro-Northern group, the Justice and Equity Group (JEG), sent a memorandum to the zoning committee. They argued that the interest of the PDP would be better served if the race is left open to all contenders.
The PDP’s imminent decision to discard zoning could be officially announced on April 5th.
About 13 aspirants have purchased the presidential nomination and expression of interest forms to compete for the party’s presidential ticket as the 2023 election beckons.
The presidential hopefuls include Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel; a businessman, Muhammad Hayatudeen; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Presidents of the Senate, Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Anyim Pius Anyim; Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed; Sokoto State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike; Publisher of Ovation International, Dele Momodu; Oliver Diana Teriela and Nwachukwu Anakwenze.
With this number of aspirants, the Iyorchia Ayu-led PDP has generated some N520 million from the sale of presidential nomination forms alone.
