Yemi Akinwonmi, acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says zoning the presidency is not Nigeria’s current problem.
Over the past few months, the debate on the zoning of the presidency ahead of the 2023 elections has heightened, especially among political party stakeholders.
Speaking on Monday in an interview on Channels Television, Akinwonmi said Nigeria needs a president who will show commitment to tackling the country’s problems.
“Zoning is not the problem of Nigeria, particularly at this hour of the day. The problem of Nigeria is to search for a true Nigerian who is ready to lead by example; who is ready to do things that will allay our problem of hunger, problem of economy, problem of banditry — all problems — and solve everything; who will return Nigeria to the comity of nations,” he said.
“Zoning has never been a problem. You remember that in Nigerian history, there was a zoning that gave Muslim-Muslim ticket and we all unanimously voted for that. So, zoning is not a problem. Where a person comes from is not a problem. What Nigerians are quarrelling with is corruption and indecent behaviour.”
Commenting on the legal suit that might hinder the party’s October 30 national convention, Akinwonmi said “genuine” PDP members will not take the party to court without exploring conflict resolution mechanisms.
“PDP is a threat to many parties. These litigations coming up and down are works of our enemies. A genuine PDP [person] will not venture to take the party to court whereas there is a section in our constitution which says you don’t resort to court or unless you avail yourself of all opportunities to see redress within the party,” he said.
Meanwhile, contrary to some media reports that the national elective convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may be postponed, the National Working Committee, NWC, has said the October 31st date for the exercise stands.
Addressing newsmen at the party’s national secretariat, Abuja, spokesman of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan said the convention committee is working relentlessly to conduct the exercise as planned.
He said: “The preparations for the national convention are in place. As far as the party is concerned, the date for the convention remains October 30th to 31st. As we speak, we read reports in so many media space that there are issues and that only three governors are working, that national convention committee are not meeting and the National Working Committee members are not in their offices. That is totally and absolutely incorrect.
