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By Akinwande Soji-Ojo
The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has thrown open its 2023 presidential ticket to all aspirants.
The decision came after a meeting of the 37-member zoning committee of the party, held at the Benue State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, on Tuesday.
The zoning committee in its recommendations said:
“1. Zoning, as in our party constitution, is affirmed.
“2. Inspite of (1) above, (the) Ticket is thrown Open, this time around due to exigency of time.
“3. Our Party is encouraged to always make the issue of zoning very clear at least 6 months before sales of forms.
“4. Our Party should commend the efforts of some of our contestants on the issue of consensus candidacy; the efforts should be seen to a peaceful and logical conclusion.”
On March 16, 2022, the party’s National Executive Committee, at its 95th meeting, constituted a 37-man committee comprising members from the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory to recommend a zoning formula for the various electoral offices ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Addressing journalists at the end of the meeting, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, said: “By the grace of God, we have unanimously adopted a position that will be sent to the NEC of our party that appointed us.
“The good news for the teeming supporters of the PDP and Nigerians is that we have resolved and every one of us, the 37 members, unanimously adopted the position that we are going to present to NEC.”
Although Ortom didn’t say anything about the zoning formula, reports said the committee would urge NEC to throw open the presidential race to all aspirants, irrespective of their zones.