Southwest PDP Backs Southern Governors Forum on Zoning of Presidency

The Southwest zone of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), on Tuesday, aligned with the decision of governors from the South to request that the next president of the country should come from the region.

The zone also reaffirmed its position on the restructuring of the country in the interest and desire for fairness, justice and equity in the distribution of federal positions and appointments, vowing to support all efforts geared towards national cohesion.

The decisions form part of the communique issued at the end of the extended zonal caucus meeting of PDP leaders in the Southwest, held at the Oyo State Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.

The communique was presented by Vice Chairman, PDP Southwest, Soji Adagunodo after a session held behind closed doors.

Past and present Governors with PDP party leaders were present at the caucus meeting. Other important dignitaries from the Southwest zone graced the occasion amongst others.

The seven point communique reads:
“We the PDP in the Southwest believe in the corporate existence and unity of Nigeria

“The unity of the Southwest is a non negotiable issue, to this end, we demand that all dispute resolution mechanisms should be on the front burner.

“The Southwest zone is in support of the Southern Governors Forum that the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should come from the South.

“The zone commends the only PDP Governor in the zone, Engr Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for his infrastructural and development strides in the zone.

“The Zone has agreed that we should do everything possible within our power to deliver Osun and Ekiti states to the party in their forthcoming off season governorship elections.

“The zone is desirous of fairness, justice and equity in the distribution of Federal positions and appointment and will support all efforts geared towards National cohesion through equitable distribution of Federal positions and appointment amongst the geopolitical zones of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The Southwest zone reaffirms its position on restructuring of Nigeria.”

Justifying the decision and content of the communique while fielding questions from reporters, Ex-Governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Mimiko said “On the issue of zoning of the presidency, the Southern governors in their wisdom advocated that the position of the Presidency should come to the South. This meeting has endorsed that, we have also endorsed that Nigeria needs peace. I think those are issues that are not controversial.”

Promoting unity

Earlier in his remarks before the meeting, host governor, Makinde, noted that unity is the key to giving the PDP a chance to challenge the ruling party at the national level, saying the unity must start form the Southwest, which is being flaunted as a leadership zone.

He explained that the crisis rocking the party in the zone is as a result of the influence of some external forces that have turned the Southwest PDP into a war zone for personal interest, urging all PDP Southwest party members to sheath their swords and allow peace to reign for the benefit of the party at the fast approaching 2023 election.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the PDP National Vice Chairman, Hon Olasoji Adagunodo, urged all aggrieved members of the party in all the state chapters to shelve their grievances for the interest of all Nigerians who are eager to see the PDP take over power in the country and to resolve all the crises confronting the party in the region.

Emmanuel Ukoh