BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – With clear worries that the current zoning formula within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is already antagonising his 2023 presidential ambition, Nigeria’s former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, says the system is not recognised by the constitution.
The Wazirin Adamawa, who pointedly declared that the system is contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended, said; “Fundamentally, the Constitution says all of us can run. The Constitution has not barred any one of us.
“There is no zoning in the Constitution; there is none. I was a member of the constituent assembly that drafted the current Constitution and there was nothing like that.
“But then, as a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country, we felt that there should be a sense of belonging. We went and invented this zoning.”
Addressing a meeting with members of a group, Let’s Fix Nigeria with Atiku, that were on a solidarity visit to his residence in Abuja at the weekend, the PDP candidate in the 2019 presidential elections said; “Therefore, we went further to say there should be a zonal representation.
“So, let me assure you that as far as I am concerned, I will observe and implement whatever will bring about the peace and stability of this country.”
Going forward, he also said that the country’s main opposition party would adopt the indirect primary, which remains the most efficient and least expensive option for choosing its flagbearer for the 2023 presidential poll.
