2023: Ortom Throws PDP Presidential Ticket Open

• Fayose quits Zoning Committee over ambition

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Ahead of the planned submission of its report to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s leadership on Thursday, April 7, 2022, emerging signals indicate the Governor Samuel Ortom-led committee on zoning has thrown open the party’s presidential ticket for the 2023 general elections.

After meeting behind closed doors at the Benue Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja on Tuesday, the Committee hinted that its unanimously adopted position will thrill and excite party members going forward.

The Benue State Governor and Committee Chairman, Samuel Ortom, who addressed journalists after the meeting, said; “By the Grace of God, we have unanimously adopted a position that will be sent to the NEC of our party that appointed us.

“The good news for teaming supporters of the PDP and Nigerians is that we have resolved and every one of us, the 37 members, unanimously adopted the position that we are going to present to NEC.”

Though Governor Ortom clearly avoided a direct answer concerning the Committee’s position on the zoning arrangement, inside sources confirmed that members’ decision favours asking the Party’s NEC to make the Presidential race open to all Nigerians irrespective of their geo-political zones.

Additionally, a competent source said among other Committee’s recommendations are the affirmation of zoning as provided in the PDP constitution; throwing open the ticket based on the exigency of time; and making a categorical statement on the issue of zoning at least six months before the sales of forms.

On the issue of a consensus candidate, it was gathered that the PDP would be advised by the Committee to applaud the efforts by some aspirants to ensure the arrangement is fully deliberated and exploited to a peaceful and logical conclusion.

Another competent source hinted that “The logic here is that aspirants should be allowed to test their popularity at the primary election”, adding that the Committee would be all for and comfortable with a consensus approach, that is acceptable to the party.

However, insiders said there is already resistance in certain quarters to the proposed open contest for the PDP Presidential ticket with arguments that in 2019, the party zoned its ticket to the North based on the need for the zone to complete its slot following the death on May 5, 2010, of President Umaru Yar’ Adua who spent two years and 11 months only in the office.

One of the Party Chieftains, who preferred anonymity, said as a result of the zoning arrangement, 12 Northern aspirants converged for the 2018 PDP presidential primaries held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State’s capital with the ticket eventually pocketed by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

Against this backdrop, sources said party chieftains from the South have argued that in the spirit of equity, the favour should be returned this time to the South. However founding fathers of the party including Atiku and ex-Jigawa state governor, Sule Lamido continue to insist that as an opposition party, the PDP would dim it’s chances if it exclude a section of the country out of the Presidential race.

In a related development, the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has called it quits with the Zoning committee, citing his presidential ambition on the PDP platform as the reason behind the decision.

In a letter sent to Governor Ortom before the commencement of the meeting, Fayose said; “Having hinted during our last meeting of my intention to run for the Office of the President in the coming primary election and by God’s grace, the general election, it will not be morally right to continue to participate in the zoning debate being an aspirant myself.”

“Therefore, my State has nominated the bearer of this letter, Dr Gbenga Faseluka to replace me,” the letter further said

Faces at the meeting included Governors Darius Ishaku of Taraba State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State; Ex-governors, Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna), and Boni Haruna (Adamawa).

Others are former Information Minister, Professor Jerry Gana, Chairman of PDP Disciplinary Committee, Chief Tom Ikimi, and erstwhile Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Tanimu Turaki, among others.