A group within the Peoples Democratic Party, Concerned Stakeholders, has asked delegates to vote on merit rather than the zoning structure laid down by the party’s leadership ahead of the August 17 convention.
The group commended the Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee, Ahmed Makarfi, for his pronouncement that any aspirant from the South could contest the party’s top job despite the fact that the party had zoned the position to the South-West.
In a statement issued by its Patron, Prof. Tayo Adeyemi, on Monday, the group said the zoning arrangement introduced by the governors and elders of the party was unconstitutional and unacceptable.
“We, therefore, give our unflinching support to the convention and call on delegates who have shown support for this cause to be present at the convention to vote for the candidates of their choice and not for their governors or leaders’ choice. They should vote on merit and for the best interest of the party,” the group said.
The group said the zoning arrangement pushed by the governors was to ensure that the South-West did not produce the party’s vice-presidential candidate in 2019.
It added, “The South-West should produce the next VP for the PDP in 2019. This is the only way the PDP can get the majority of the South-West votes in 2019. The South-West has qualified, brilliant, vibrant professional men and women who would be an asset to the government and party. It may even be a woman in line with global trends.
“The convention will be a litmus test for the party and the confirmation of its rebranding plans. All we need is for the new crop of leaders to reconcile all aggrieved members and ensure all state machineries are given back to the people, not to corrupt leaders.”
