2023: Southern govs insist on producing the next Nigerian president

By Enekorogha Godbless
&Teide Emomotimi

Southern States Governors under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have kicked against open tickets for the forthcoming Presidential election in 2023.

This was contained in a resolution released after the meeting held at the Akwa Ibom State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.

The meeting was held by the following governors Udom Emmanuel governor of Akwa Ibom State, Nyesom Wike governor of Rivers state, Douye Diri governor of Bayelsa state, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi governor of Enugu State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo state and Okezie Ikpeazu governor of Abia state.

According to the Abia state governor, His Excellency Okezie Ikpeazu, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) must zone the presidency to the Southern part of the country.

Ikpeazu added: “Gentlemen, we have watched with keen interest the developments in our party, especially concerning zoning.

“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 a 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 have agreed as Southern Governors in Lagos and also in Delta that this party has to respect the zoning principle as enshrined in our Constitution, and to that effect, we feel that the best 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 our position, because the Party was founded based on equity and justice. And we also think that equity and justice are important pillars that will ultimately stabilise our politics towards our journey in rescuing Nigeria.

“This is our position and that is why we have met today. Let me tell you something, if you want to take a policy position, you don’t look at problems in their face and make a decision.

“You make a decision and remain firm on that decision. We think what this country is lacking today is our ability to dispense equity and justice. It may be difficult, it may be a bitter pill but we need to stand by the truth.

“See, I speak and I want to reiterate the position of the Southern governors. It is not my duty to speculate on what others are doing. But you must ask yourself, what is the truth? What it is, is that if we do it today we serve with fairness, equity and justice.”

The governors also discarded the idea that if the presidency is being zoned to the south that the party might lose the presidency. They noted that they will work hard with the party in other for the party to produce the next president of the federal.