Few days ago, the leadership of the PDP announced that it has zoned the office of the PDP National Chairman to the North East geopolitical zone of the country. While some people kicked against such arrangement saying that it is be unfair to the south for the north to retain the chairmanship office considering that the party's Presidential ticket for 2019 has been zoned to the north, some others argue that the arrangement was aimed at serving the interest of incumbent chairman Ali Modu Sheriff and his loyalists.

While I shall justify the position of the party to zone the office of the National Chairman to the North East, I shall be silent on whether or not it was to justify Sheriff's ambition to succeed himself because it is undemocratic to deny anybody the right to aspire for any political office except such ambition contravenes the law. I shall also discuss the political interest of South East geopolitical zone within the PDP.

The Legitimacy And Rationality of Zoning The Office To North East:
A critical look at the precedence within the PDP will always point that in every election/post election year, the party Presidential candidate and the occupant of National Chairman office of the party are spliit between the North and the South. After Chief Alex Ekweme stepped down in 1998 to challenge Chief Olusegun Obasanjo for the party's Presidential ticket for 1999 election, late Chief Solomon Lar from Plateau state(North Central) emerged as Chairman. In 1999 when the party held it first congress, it zoned the office of National Chairman to the zone, and produced Chief Barnabas Gemade(Benue, North Central) as chairman. In its 2001 convention, the party again allowed NC to retain the office since SW(Olusegun Obasanjo) is retaining the party Presidential ticket for 2003 election, the Convention produced Chief Audu Ogbeh (Benue, NC) as National Chairman(tenure for serving NWC officers was increased to 4years). Ogbeh resigned as Chairman in 2004 and was replaced by Col Ahmad Ali(Kogi NC) who was confirmed by 2005 National Convention. Because PDP zoned the Presidential ticket of 2007 to North West, it zoned the Chairmanship office of 2008 Convention to South East. While Musa Yar'adua(Katsina NW) emerged Presidential candidate and eventually President in 2007, Chief Vincent Ogbulafor(Abia SE) emerged National Chairman to serve till 2012. Ogbulafor was forced to resign in May 2010 and was succeeded by Dr.
Okwesileze Nwodo(Enugu, SE), who was expected to ccomplete the tenure of South East.It was expected that the North West(Yar'adua) would retain the party's Presidential ticket for 2011 while the South East would retain the office of National Chairman, as with the practice of PDP and also the North-South gentleman agreement of 2006. However, with the death of Yar'dua and emergence of Goodluck Jonathan(Bayelsa, SS) as party's Presidential candidate for 2011, it means that the National Chairmanship seat would move northward in 2012, hence, the party zoned the office of the chairman to the North East in 2012. Alhaji Bamangar Tukur (Adamawa NE) emerged Chairman in 2012 Convention, he resigned in 2014 and was ssucceeded by Alhaji Adam Muazu(Baluchi NE).

By virtue of the fact that the South South through Dr Goodluck Jonathan retained the party's Presidential ticket, it automatically means that the office of the Chairman held by North East would be retained by the zone in the 2016 National Convention. It is not the fault of the North, particularly the NorthEast that Jonathan lost the 2015 election. It will be unfair to allow the North East zone lose their legitimate right simply because Jonathan lost to Buhari. I believe that no one would even be agitating for the South to produce the Chairman if Jonathan(South) had won the 2015 President election. That said, the zoning of the chairman to the North East is highly in order.

North Producing Party Presidential Candidate For 2019 Does Not Negate It:
Using the 2019 arrangement for 2016 event is inappropriate going by party's precedents and gentleman agreement. Already, PDP has the agreement of allowing the North and South take turns of two consecutive tickets each. The death of Yar'adua saw the rule broken to accommodate Jonathan's ambition in 2011. Waiting to takeover party ticket in 2015, the party still accommodated Jonathan for a second term. One don't need a prophet to know that the legitimate thing to do in 2019 was to return the party ticket to the north in 2019 and 2023. This in no way can affect the Chairmanship position, those that feels the party chairman seat should not remain in the north east should take a holistic review of their position.

South East Must Produce PDP's VP Candidate In 2019/23 And Presidential Candidate In 2027/31:
Of the three geopolitical zones in the south, the South East has been the most shortchanged as long as the PDP is concerned despite the fact that the loyalty of the geopolitical zone to the party is never in doubt. With the emergence of Dr Goodluck Jonathan (Bayelsa SS) as PDP's Vice Presidential candidate in 2007, the coast was set for the South East to enjoy the Chairmanship seat for the period of 2008 to 2016, and also clinch the party's Presidential ticket in 2015 when the North would have exhausted their turn of two tickets through Umaru Musa Yar'adua. However er, the death of the former president and emergence of Dr.Jonathan as party's candidate in 2011 made the South East to lose the Chairmanship in 2012 because no region can hold both at the same time. Jonathan's clinching of party's in 2015 invariably means that 2019 and 2023 will be held by the North. However, considering that the VeePee slot will return to the south in 2019 and 2023, it is only appropriate the the South East be allowed to enjoy the slot considering that it is the only zone in the south that is yet to be on the Presidential and VP ticket since return of democracy. The South West through Olusegun Obasanjo(Ogun, SW) enjoyed the President slot in 1999 and 2003, the South South through Jonathan enjoyed the VP slot in 2007, and president slot in 2011 and 2015, leaving the South East with nothing. Even the office of National Chairman of the party that they were supposed to enjoy for four years(2008-2012) was only enjoyed by them for Two years(Ogbulafor 2008-2010 and Nwodo 2010), the remaining two years was held by the North through Haliru Bello in the guise of 'Acting Chairman'. I believe that justice would only be served when the zone get what is due to them.

Having said the above, I urge Igbos from the SouthEast not to be coerced into giving up their. legitimate demand of producing VP of the party in 2019 and 2023, and President in 2027 and 2031 when it returned to the South. In fact, the Igbos from South East have the moral obligation to vote against the PDP in 2019 should it deny them their legitimate slot.

I am from the South South(Rivers state) but I don't think it is appropriate to side injustice. In fact, I have consistently maintained that while the North should produce presidential candidate in 2019, the South East must produce the running mate. That position I still maintain.

Finally, I commend the NEC led by Sen Ali Modu Sheriff on the decision made so far, I believe that the party is on the right track as it prepares to takeover tenancy of Aso Rock in 2019. I pray we don't deviate.






May God Bless Us All And Bless Nigeria

The struggle for 2019 has begun

I don't think the south east needs a VP slot, Why not the Presidential slot

This is one of the few reasonable article you've ever written.




PDP would only have a chance of taking over power in 2019 if they can present a credible Northerner(Sherrif not an option for me though) as its presidential candidate.


SS/SE votes are already guaranteed for the party.

Then Ike Ekweremadu or any other credible South Easterner can take the VP slot.

If APGA brings out a Presidential Candidate in 2019, then PDP will be in a big trouble because Many Igbos will be reluctant to vote for a Northerner as President.
What will happen if PDP zone the Presidency to South East and the Vice Presidency to Middle Belt?
For me, APC is the fastest route to Igbo Presidency Project in 2023 but I doubt if they can allow it in the party.
FINALLY, Igbos must come to the roundtable and strategize on how to shape their political destiny in Nigeria.

No need for epistles, the SouthEast is ready to stand by PDP, through thick and thin. Whatever the PDP NEC and BOT agree on, the SE will agree with it. We are PDP for life.

Destined2win:
I don't think the south east needs a VP slot, Why not the Presidential slot

The South East unfortunately can't produce the Presidential candidate in 2019 because of the altered zoning arrangement in 2011 and 2015. The south has enjoyed two consecutive slot(2011 and 2015), justice demand that the slots for 2019 move northward. The VeePee slot is a good compensation in 2019.

Adaure4ever:
If APGA brings out a Presidential Candidate in 2019, then PDP will be in a big trouble because Many Igbos will be reluctant to vote for a Northerner as President.
What will happen if PDP zone the Presidency to South East and the Vice Presidency to Middle Belt?
For me, APC is the fastest route to Igbo Presidency Project in 2023 but I doubt if they can allow it in the party.
FINALLY, Igbos must come to the roundtable and strategize on how to shape their political destiny in Nigeria.

Don't be deceived by APC's rhetoric. They don't have agreed zoning principle Like the PDP. Should Buhari fly the party's ticket in 2019, the South West may decide to clinch the party's ticket in 2023 considering that it is the party's political base in the South. However, PDP has a precedence and it favours the South East in 2027.

By virtue of the fact that the South South through Dr Goodluck Jonathan retained the party's Presidential ticket, it automatically means that the office of the Chairman held by North East would be retained by the zone in the 2016 National Convention. It is not the fault of the North, particularly the NorthEast that Jonathan lost the 2015 election. It will be unfair to allow the North East zone lose their legitimate right simply because Jonathan lost to Buhari. I believe that no one would even be agitating for the South to produce the Chairman if Jonathan(South) had won the 2015 President election. That said, the zoning of the chairman to the North East is highly in order.

Slave mentality!
In all previous instances you referenced, the chairmanship had gone to the zone that didn't have the presidency. GEJ's loss shouldn't prevent that "gentleman agreement" from continuing. Once GEJ lost and with the presidency zoned to the NE, the logical, rational and sensible thing to do is for PDP to zone its chairmanship to South.

North Producing Party Presidential Candidate For 2019 Does Not Negate It:
Using the 2019 arrangement for 2016 event is inappropriate going by party's precedents and gentleman agreement. Already, PDP has the agreement of allowing the North and South take turns of two consecutive tickets each. The death of Yar'adua saw the rule broken to accommodate Jonathan's ambition in 2011. Waiting to takeover party ticket in 2015, the party still accommodated Jonathan for a second term. One don't need a prophet to know that the legitimate thing to do in 2019 was to return the party ticket to the north in 2019 and 2023. This in no way can affect the Chairmanship position, those that feels the party chairman seat should not remain in the north east should take a holistic review of their position.

Similar to the position on the Chairmanship. Nothing can justify zoning the presidency and chairmanship to the same zone if not master-slave relationship.

South East Must Produce PDP's VP Candidate In 2019/23 And Presidential Candidate In 2027/31:[/b]
Of the three geopolitical zones in the south, the South East has been the most shortchanged as long as the PDP is concerned despite the fact that the loyalty of the geopolitical zone to the party is never in doubt. With the emergence of Dr Goodluck Jonathan (Bayelsa SS) as PDP's Vice Presidential candidate in 2007, the coast was set for the South East to enjoy the Chairmanship seat for the period of 2008 to 2016, and also clinch the party's Presidential ticket in 2015 when the North would have exhausted their turn of two tickets through Umaru Musa Yar'adua. However er, the death of the former president and emergence of Dr.Jonathan as party's candidate in 2011 made the South East to lose the Chairmanship in 2012 because no region can hold both at the same time. Jonathan's clinching of party's in 2015 invariably means that 2019 and 2023 will be held by the North. However, considering that the VeePee slot will return to the south in 2019 and 2023, it is only appropriate the the South East be allowed to enjoy the slot considering that it is the only zone in the south that is yet to be on the Presidential and VP ticket since return of democracy. The South West through Olusegun Obasanjo(Ogun, SW) enjoyed the President slot in 1999 and 2003, the South South through Jonathan enjoyed the VP slot in 2007, and president slot in 2011 and 2015, leaving the South East with nothing. Even the office of National Chairman of the party that they were supposed to enjoy for four years(2008-2012) was only enjoyed by them for Two years(Ogbulafor 2008-2010 and Nwodo 2010), the remaining two years was held by the North through Haliru Bello in the guise of 'Acting Chairman'. I believe that justice would only be served when the zone get what is due to them.

We know SE and PDP are Siamese twins. No problems at all. In fact, should SE be given the presidential slot in APC in 2019, the zone will still opt for PDP offering only a deputy senate presidency. Such is their lack of grasp of Naija politics. The only politics the zone understands is politics of hatred. Hence, SE will NEVER produce Nigeria's president except it changes its attitude.

Having said the above, I urge Igbos from the SouthEast not to be coerced into giving up their. legitimate demand of producing VP of the party in 2019 and 2023, and President in 2027 and 2031 when it returned to the South. In fact, the Igbos from South East have the moral obligation to vote against the PDP in 2019 should it deny them their legitimate slot.

Igbos will always align with PDP for obvious reasons (frauds, divide and rule at the highest level, hatred for Hausa-Yoruba party, etc). And these are the reasons they may never produce a Nigeria president. No region will be able to produce president without the SW, NE and NW.

I am from the South South(Rivers state) but I don't think it is appropriate to side injustice. In fact, I have consistently maintained that while the North should produce presidential candidate in 2019, the South East must produce the running mate. That position I still maintain.

You have sided with injustice and irrationality on many occasions. You know you stand for NOTHING and fall for ANYTHING. You speak from both sides of your mouth.

Finally, I commend the NEC led by Sen Ali Modu Sheriff on the decision made so far, I believe that the party is on the right track as it prepares to takeover tenancy of Aso Rock in 2019. I pray we don't deviate.

Typical of a slave!

May God Bless Us All And Bless Nigerias Presidential ticket in 2015 when the North would have exhausted their turn of two tickets through Umaru Musa Yar

Keep dreaming!

PMB will be president till 2023 whether una like am or not. The SW will be very silly to vote for another Northern politician other than PMB in 2019 because doing so will mean that the North will retain the presidency till 2027.

In 2023, the South (read SW) will produce the next president for another eight years. Only after sixteen years of APC may we start to determine if PDP deserves another chance at Aso Rock.

Adaure4ever:
If APGA brings out a Presidential Candidate in 2019, then PDP will be in a big trouble because Many Igbos will be reluctant to vote for a Northerner as President.
What will happen if PDP zone the Presidency to South East and the Vice Presidency to Middle Belt?
For me, APC is the fastest route to Igbo Presidency Project in 2023 but I doubt if they can allow it in the party.
FINALLY, Igbos must come to the roundtable and strategize on how to shape their political destiny in Nigeria.

The same APC you so much hated for no just reason

TonyeBarcanista:
Don't be deceived by APC's rhetoric. They don't have agreed zoning principle Like the PDP. Should Buhari fly the party's ticket in 2019, the South West may decide to clinch the party's ticket in 2023 considering that it is the party's political base in the South. However, PDP has a precedence and it favours the South East in 2027.

Keep deceiving yourself

TonyeBarcanista:
Don't be deceived by APC's rhetoric. They don't have agreed zoning principle Like the PDP. Should Buhari fly the party's ticket in 2019, the South West may decide to clinch the party's ticket in 2023 considering that it is the party's political base in the South. However, PDP has a precedence and it favours the South East in 2027.

2027??

Oga that's a long time.

That's if Nigeria is still one by then.

iflywithbuhari:
No need for epistles, the SouthEast is ready to stand by PDP, through thick and thin. Whatever the PDP NEC and BOT agree on, the SE will agree with it. We are PDP for life.

My Friend politics is about interest. I make bold to say that the SS would have voted against PDP in 2007 if it had not fielded Jonathan as VP in 2007. In fact, the North showed that interests comes first in politics when they voted against PDP for not obeying their zoning arrangement in 2015.

Truth is, party has no interests, the interests of the groups within the party is aggregated as the interest of the party. if one group feel shortchanged, it has moral legitimacy to punish the party at the poll.

I do not worry myself about this party PDP and their claim to have the interest of the south especially Igbos at heart. I only feel cheated and betrayed by APGA who i thought will field a candidate for the last presidential election that way cementing the partys position as a national party but they chickened out on 'our son' euphoria sweeping through the SE then. By and large no political party in nigeria has any plan for SE/SS presidency. Jonathan was a mistake if you ask the north. Imagine Buhari doing two terms after which PDP will fly a northern candidate and APC a sw candidate when then will an igbo candidate fly the flag of the aforementioned parties. Ojukwu saw all these when he registered APGA but the people he handed over were either selfish or visionless but i think its the former not the later cause we all saw what peter obi did to the run up of the election

brb

Agunechemba1:

2027??
Oga that's a long time.
That's if Nigeria is still one by then.

2027 is not too long bro, it is less than 12years away...

Peter Obi is a big disgrace to Ojukwu and to Ndigbo.
His greediness made him to jump party to PDP when he should have stayed back and rebuilt Apga and Be the Political leader of the South East.
PDP should not make the mistake of fielding him as their VP candidate in 2019.
His Popularity is beginning to fade in South East.
Charles Soludo or Ike Ekweremadu is my choice.

jmichlins:
I do not worry myself about this party PDP and their claim to have the interest of the south especially Igbos at heart. I only feel cheated and betrayed by APGA who i thought will field a candidate for the last presidential election that way cementing the partys position as a national party but they chickened out on 'our son' euphoria sweeping through the SE then. By and large no political party in nigeria has any plan for SE/SS presidency. Jonathan was a mistake if you ask the north. Imagine Buhari doing two terms after which PDP will fly a northern candidate and APC a sw candidate when then will an igbo candidate fly the flag of the aforementioned parties. Ojukwu saw all these when he registered APGA but the people he handed over were either selfish or visionless but i think its the former not the later cause we all saw what peter obi did to the run up of the election

Truth is the mistake of the Igbos was in 2011 and not 2015. If the Igbo politicians had insisted that the North continue with their ticket in 2011, it would have mean that the ticket return to the South in 2015 of which SE is the legitimate beneficiary, as the SW and SS can't lay claim having produced consecutive Presidential and VP candidate respectively.

HONESTLY, APGA can't win any Presidential election and would only spoil igbo chance should it field candidate in 2015 and 2019 except it does merger

Adaure4ever:
If APGA brings out a Presidential Candidate in 2019, then PDP will be in a big trouble because Many Igbos will be reluctant to vote for a Northerner as President.
What will happen if PDP zone the Presidency to South East and the Vice Presidency to Middle Belt?
For me, APC is the fastest route to Igbo Presidency Project in 2023 but I doubt if they can allow it in the party.
FINALLY, Igbos must come to the roundtable and strategize on how to shape their political destiny in Nigeria.

you alone is seeing the missing piece of this puzzle. Even at that, APC is not even an assured route cause there are lots of interest within the APC fold. Even igbos are yet to accept APC so there's no hope ther. The fastest route for the SE into Aso is floating a national party then use their diversity in every state of the nation to convince other tribes to vote the candidate

TonyeBarcanista:

Truth is the mistake of the Igbos was in 2011 and not 2015. If the Igbo politicians had insisted that the North continue with their ticket in 2011, it would have mean that the ticket return to the South in 2015 of which SE is the legitimate beneficiary, as the SW and SS can't lay claim having produced consecutive Presidential and VP candidate respectively.

HONESTLY, APGA can't win any Presidential election and would only spoil igbo chance should it field candidate in 2015 and 2019 except it does merger

simply put it that the mistake of Igbos made was by supporting jonathan. Talking about APGA, greed killed the dream and values which the party was founded upon

jmichlins:
I do not worry myself about this party PDP and their claim to have the interest of the south especially Igbos at heart. I only feel cheated and betrayed by APGA who i thought will field a candidate for the last presidential election that way cementing the partys position as a national party but they chickened out on 'our son' euphoria sweeping through the SE then. By and large no political party in nigeria has any plan for SE/SS presidency. Jonathan was a mistake if you ask the north. Imagine Buhari doing two terms after which PDP will fly a northern candidate and APC a sw candidate when then will an igbo candidate fly the flag of the aforementioned parties. Ojukwu saw all these when he registered APGA but the people he handed over were either selfish or visionless but i think its the former not the later cause we all saw what peter obi did to the run up of the election

@Emboldened The zoning arrangement of APC does not alter that of PDP. even if APC permanently zone their ticket to the north, it has no effect on PDP

jmichlins:
you alone is seeing the missing piece of this puzzle. Even at that, APC is not even an assured route cause there are lots of interest within the APC fold. Even igbos are yet to accept APC so there's no hope ther. The fastest route for the SE into Aso is floating a national party then use their diversity in every state of the nation to convince other tribes to vote the candidate

nice point, Igbos made the mistake in 2011, they would have insisted on North to bring out a Yaradua replacement in readiness for 2015 or 2019.
If you ask me, Willie Obiano is moulding himself into a visionary Apga leader, He should target at making Apga a National party by building Political bridges and atleast Zoning Apga Chairmanship to another Geo Political Zone and wooing strong political gurus to the party.

TonyeBarcanista:

2027 is not too long bro, it is less than 12years away...

mate 12yrs is enough to build a world class city from scrath using the resource from your backyard. What we fight for in nigeria is not who sleeps in Aso rock but who controls the resources scartered across this nation

jmichlins:
simply put it that the mistake of Igbos made was by supporting jonathan. Talking about APGA, greed killed the dream and values which the party was founded upon

APGA and PPA were parties of potentials to be a negotiating force for the SE but greedy politicians in SE are so selfish and highly shortsighted just like those from SS that only think of their fat stomach.

As long as Igbos play mainly the politics of hatred instead of the politics of interest, they will always have problem with nigeria politics.

People say dem want their own country tomorrow, this one dey ration naija presidential ticket to them for, wait for it, 2027!!

TonyeBarcanista:

@Emboldened The zoning arrangement of APC does not alter that of PDP. even if APC permanently zone their ticket to the north, it has no effect on PDP

that goes to prove it beyond doubt that there is no point Igbos rooting and supporting PDP.

iflywithbuhari:
No need for epistles, the SouthEast is ready to stand by PDP, through thick and thin. Whatever the PDP NEC and BOT agree on, the SE will agree with it. We are PDP for life.

Yet you people call the Yorubas "slaves".

You see your life??

jmichlins:
mate 12yrs is enough to build a world class city from scrath using the resource from your backyard. What we fight for in nigeria is not who sleeps in Aso rock but who controls the resources scartered across this nation

My brother, everybody wants resource control but pending when such demand would be heeded, let us all participate in the running of the country.

Adaure4ever:
nice point, Igbos made the mistake in 2011, they would have insisted on North to bring out a Yaradua replacement in readiness for 2015 or 2019.
If you ask me, Willie Obiano is moulding himself into a visionary Apga leader, He should target at making Apga a National party by building Political bridges and atleast Zoning Apga Chairmanship to another Geo Political Zone and wooing strong political gurus to the party.

APGA is the only hope and lagos is where to begin building the bridge but before you yorubas consume me just remember we all seeking personal interest in nigeria

TonyeBarcanista:

My brother, everybody wants resource control but pending when such demand would be heeded, let us all participate in the running of the country.

am not talking true federalism here cause it will not work anytime soon. That one individual who shares and distributes railway and claim to forget including the one running through the south is what we fighting for