The threats by socio-cultural groups, Afenifere and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, that any political party that presents a northerner as its presidential candidate will be rejected at the polls is unsettling the opposition Peoples Democratic Party ‘PDP’ Thecitypulsenews gathers.



The 13 PDP governors including the PDP National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, are currently in Port Harcourt where several issues pertaining to the 2023 Presidential election are being discussed.

Having held its national convention and put its house in order since last November, the party is now looking at how its Presidential candidate will emerge.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State had revealed in October that Governor Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Governor Bala Mohammed (Bauchi) and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar had all indicated their desire to contest the Presidential election.

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, had also visited Bauchi recently where he drummed support for the Presidential ambition of Governor Mohammed.

But sources within the PDP revealed on Monday that the threats by southern socio-political groups were unsettling the party.


“The truth is that the PDP believes that giving the ticket to a northerner will boost its chances of victory. They think they already have the support of the South-East and South-South. So, all they will need is to get a strong northerner as the Presidential candidate that can deliver northern votes at a time when Buhari will not be on the ballot.

“However, these new threats by Afenifere and Ohanaeze are now causing trouble for the party,” a PDP chieftain said.

In a chat with Arise TV on Monday, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim, said the failure of political parties to zone the Presidency to the South-East in 2023 will be a burden on the conscience of the nation.


He said, “There is also an agreement about the zoning principle regarding rotation between the north and the south” in the PDP constitution.”

The former Senate President said the South-East ought to produce the next President.


He added, “In the PDP constitution, there is also an agreement about the zoning principle regarding rotation between the North and the South with the region micro zoning amongst themselves

“The reason is because every section of the country must have a sense of belonging; not following it will be a burden on the conscience of the nation.”

Speaking with The PUNCH on Monday, a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Bode George, said indeed the issue of zoning was a sensitive matter.

George, however, said he was confident that the party would be able to resolve its challenges. He, therefore, asked socio-cultural groups to be patient with the party.

He said, “I know that when we get to that bridge we will cross it. I believe in the sanctity and the wisdom of our elders in the PDP. We will put all the parameters in the equation and we will sit down and discuss it.


“We conceptualised zoning and we started it for the sake of fairness. But as I said, we will meet, discuss and X-ray it and see the impact. We will hold very robust debates. That is the culture of our party. There is no kingmaker in the PDP who will be the oracle. We will discuss and debate in the interest of the sanctity of Nigeria.”

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, could not be reached for comment on Monday as he did not respond to calls.

In an earlier statement, however, the PDP spokesman said no decision had been taken on the issue of zoning and the party leadership would meet and consult before such a decision is taken.

To be sincere politics apart
To reduce the tension and damage that buhari adminstration has caused
Rotating presidency to South is the best for now

If pdp doesn't give it's ticket to an igbo man after 22 years of undiluted loyalty then that's unfair,injustice n any other grammar

Bounceboune7:
If pdp doesn't give it's ticket to an igbo man after 22 years of undiluted loyalty then that's unfair,injustice n any other grammar

My point exactly! In fact, it's the best party to reward the SE, it's just plain political mischief to suggest that an APC that is hated in the SE should now be the one to give its ticket to SE. That will be naive of the APC to do so because the PDP will win and there will be protest votes against APC in the SW to teach APC a lesson not to be ungrateful to them for their support to the APC.

FreeStuffsNG:

My point exactly! In fact, it's the best party to reward the SE, it's just plain political mischief to suggest that an APC that is hated in the SE should now be the one to give its ticket to SE. That will be naive of the APC to do so because the PDP will win and there will be protest votes against APC in the SW to teach APC a lesson not to be ungrateful to them for their support to the APC.

Dont tell me that you're afraid of an atiku vs tinubu match,...as for ohaneze,they're no longer the voice nor do the speak for the southeast,..igbo youths have made it clear that its biafra or nothing.sir

Conrod:
Dont tell me that you're afraid of an atiku vs tinubu match,...as for ohaneze,they're no longer the voice nor do the speak for the southeast,..igbo youths have made it clear that its biafra or nothing.sir

Sir, honestly, in life, don't ever underestimate your opponents. Am I concerned about having an Asiwaju Tinubu vs HE Atiku tickets? Yes. Am I doubtful if Asiwaju Tinubu will win? No. Life is about input, process and output. If I do the hardwork and get the better plans Asiwaju Tinubu has for Nigeria and Nigerians across to our fellow patriotic Nigerians and lovers of Nigeria, I will be able to get their votes for Asiwaju Tinubu because I am 100% confident that these my fellow patriotic Nigerians and lovers of Nigeria are not unreasonable people.

About Igbo youths, only those who idle away on Nairaland are wasting their time. Go and see how serious Nigerian youths of Igbo extraction are placing the flag of Nigeria high within and outside Nigeria and you will realise that it's the jobless and unfortunate IPOB terrorists that are on Nairaland

Just go through the list of Nigerian youths of Igbo extraction who are joining the civil service and military or our national sports teams including Super Eagles alone will tell you that you are wasting your time in this toxic Nairaland bubble of hate,bitterness and bigotry sir.
Go and build something phenomenal first, nobody gets a prize for destroying anything. To destroy is easy.