By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Governors from the South elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday reiterated their resolve to work for the emergence of a Presidential candidate from the South.
The governor’s had in their innaugural meeting last year in Asaba and later in Lagos which was attended by all the governors from the zone irrespective of party affiliation, resolved that the South should produce the next president of the country.
Arising from a meeting at the Akwa Ibom governors lodge Abuja yesterday, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State who spoke on-behalf of the other state Chief executives from the South, stressed that for justice, fairness and equity, the party should zone it’s Presidential candidate to the South.
He stressed that one of the problems that has been militating against the development of the country is injustice and inequity. He said that it is time for the monster to be shamed and relegated to the background so the the country can return to the path of development.
He said, “We have watched with keen interest the development in our party especially concerning the zoning. And our position is that first we are committed to the unity of our party and we have worked hard to make sure that this party remains strong and viable vehicle to rescue Nigeria come 2023.
“Be that as it may, we want to draw your attention to the fact that we had agreed as Southern governors in Lagos and also in Delta that this party has to respect the zoning principle as enshrined in our constitution.
“To that effect, we insist that the first thing to do is to zone the presidency to the south and we stand on that position. We have not seen any reason to change that position, because the party was founded on the basis of equity and justice and we also think that equity and justice is an important pillar that will ultimately stabilize our polity towards our journey in rescuing Nigeria”
Ikpeazu deflated the reason put forward by those who want the ticket thrown open because many people from other zones have already bought forms and vigorously campaigning.
“If you want to take a decision on policy, you don’t look at problems on their face and you take a decision, you take a decision and remain firm on that decision. We think that what this country lacks today is our ability to dispense equity and justice. It may be difficult, it may be a bitter pill, but we need to stand with the truth.
The Abia governor said that he is not disturbed by the move by some governors from the North rooting that the position should be zoned to them.
“I want to reiterate what the position of the southern governors on this matter is. It is not my duty to speculate on what others are doing. But you must ask yourself, what is the truth that if we do it today, we will serve the tenets of equity and justice?” Ikpeazu said.
Present at the meeting were Gov. Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom who was the host, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Gov. Diri Duoye of Bayelsa while Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta and Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo state were absent.
Recall that it was reported that the PDP committee on zoning, chaired by the Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom made the fight for the party’s Presidential ticket a free for all.
