The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has refused to abandon its zoning principle despite calls from some party members to jettison the age-long practice.
The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Iyorchia Ayu on Thursday in Abuja, said that the party will not abandon the tradition.
The Chairman said this while inaugurating the 37-person zoning committee of the party at its national secretariat in Abuja. He added that whoever does not get the presidency this time should wait until the end of the tenure of the next President.
After its 95th National Executive Council meeting on March 16, the PDP constituted its zoning committee to make recommendations for the zoning of various elective positions before the elections.
The committee which was given two weeks to draft the hallowed list is expected to submit its final zoning list on March 30.
Addressing delegates on Thursday, the chairman said, “PDP has a history of rotating our offices. Anybody who doesn’t get it this time should wait after the tenure of whoever will be our next president.
“We believe PDP is going to produce the next President once we start this journey. This time, we will ensure it goes round. And it will go round with justice, fairness and the interests of Nigeria.”
“You will recall that in the NEC meeting discussions, we had no rancour whatsoever. I implore all of you to continue in the same spirit. PDP has a reputation for discussing whatever issues that we have. We talk, we don’t fight, we resolve issues.”
“There is no issue that is too difficult or too important for the PDP to resolve. That is the spirit of the party. Therefore I urge all of you to discuss this matter with the same spirit that you discussed at NEC. Let us not have any rancour whatsoever and at the end of the day, remain focused on the main goal.”