2023 Presidency: Back Off Now – South East PDP Aspirants To Atiku, Saraki, Tambuwal

• Say it’s time to reward party loyalty

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Determined to forcefully flaunt and pursue the fairness and equity argument, presidential aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the South-East geopolitical region say the Party owes it a duty not to deny the Zone its presidential ticket for the 2023 general elections.

To this end, the aspirants are sending a note of caution to aspirants from other zones, especially the north, to steer clear of the race for justice’s sake.

In making their demands, they said; “We have agreed to work together as a team and that we will work together to ensure that a South Easterner emerges as PDP flag bearer.”

Rising from their meeting in Abuja at the weekend, four aspirants, former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi; former President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa; and Chairman of the Diaspora Igbo group, Igbo World Assembly (IWA), Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze, maintained that the zone has paid its dues supporting the party and the time to enjoy the reward of service and loyalty is now.

Reading the resolutions reached by the foursome, aspirants, Chief Anyim further said; “We intend to consult with other zones on this issue and it is based on fairness and equity.

“In doing so, it is important to note that we have always supported other zones and we now expect them to reciprocate.

“It is to our knowledge that more aspirants may have obtained forms under PDP and we hope they will join us later.”

On whether all the aspirants and Stakeholders were working towards presenting a consensus candidate for the presidential ticket, the former Senate President retorted; “When we get to the bridge, we will cross it.

“We will work together in the interest of the Party, in the interest of the nation, and in the interest of the South East zone.”

Also responding to reporters’ queries on the thinking of the South-East PDP governors concerning their resolution, Chief Anyim said the aspirants were not in any position to speak the governors’ minds on the Party’s presidential ticket.

The full statement by Chief Anyim said; “Today, Mr. Peter Obi, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, and myself (I), all of us from the South East, who have declared intention to run for the office of president of Nigeria and have obtained the nomination form of our great party the PDP, met in Abuja.

“The main purpose of our meeting was for us to resolve to work together to promote understanding, unity and collaboration among the four of us and any other person from the South-East zone who may later join in the race. We had a very fruitful meeting in an atmosphere of friendliness and respect for one another.

“At the end of our meeting, we addressed the media on our resolutions as follows:
1) That we have agreed to work together as a team;
2) That we will work together to ensure that a South Eastern emerges as PDP flag bearer;
3) That we intend to consult with other zones on this issue and it is based on fairness and equity;
4) That in doing so it is important to note that we have always supported other zones and we now expect them to reciprocate.

“We are committed to working with our party leadership and party members from across the country to ensure that the founding principles and ideals of our great party are upheld to reassure Nigerians that PDP is ready to rebuild and reunite our dear country.

“We ask Nigerians to give us the chance to fix this country. Together we will get Nigeria to work again.”