Members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who have purchased presidential nomination and expression of interest forms from across the geographical zones are allowed to compete in the party’s presidential primary, according to the PDP.
Mr Debo Ologunagba, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, stated this amid reports that the party’s National Executive Committee will meet on Wednesday next week to decide on the party’s Zoning Committee report.
According to reports, Ologunagba stated that if the party elected to zone its presidential ticket, no one would be barred from running in the primary.
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He went on to say that the constitution guarantees all competent Nigerians the right to run for office without prejudice.
When the PDP allocated its presidential ticket to the South in 1999, the late former Governor of Kano State, Abubakar Rimi, chose to test his popularity on the field, according to the PDP spokesperson.
During the party’s previous national convention, Ologunagba remembered, some executives were elected by agreement, while others opted to put their popularity to the test on the field.
As a result, he claimed that this would be the same technique that the PDP would use.
The PDP spokesman added, “Our processes, our constitution are subject to the constitution of Nigeria. The constitution guarantees every qualified Nigerian be able to aspire to any position in this country. The party cannot stop anybody from contesting because that will be at variance with the constitution.
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“In 1999, the PDP zoned its presidential ticket to the South. Remember that at the Jos convention, late former Governor Abubakar Rimi of Kano State said he agreed with the party but said as a Nigerian he would contest and the party did not stop him.
“Recently at the national convention, the party decided to zone certain offices. You will recall that at the national convention, three positions were contested: deputy chairman (North) deputy chairman (South), and national youth leader.”
Ologunagba noted that a 37-member committee led by Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State had submitted its report, which would then be considered by the National Executive Committee of the PDP on Wednesday next week.
He noted that the NEC which is the highest decision-making body of the party would be the one to decide on whether there should be zoning or not.
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“The process of collecting forms is one that goes without any conflict with the party’s process as regards zoning. One should not stop for the other. The process of screening cannot stop the process of decisions with the party. If the party decides to zone or not to zone, either way, the screening will still be done.
“If NEC says we go a particular way, as long as it doesn’t go against the constitution and the party, so be it,” he stated.
The Ortom committee is understood to have listed about three recommendations which included zoning the Presidency to the South or throwing it open while there was also an option for it to be zoned to the North.
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