2023: Atiku, Saraki, Wike, Others To Lock Horns As PDP Throws Presidential Ticket Open

Daily Trust had earlier reported that the opposition party would not adopt zoning for the election.

A member of the committee from the North had said more than half of the committee members have keyed into the zero zoning arrangement to enable all aspirants to participate in the primary exercise during which a presidential candidate will emerge.

“It is too late to stop aspirants from contesting and because our ultimate goal is to win, the majority of us have agreed that the race be thrown open to all.  We are going for a zero-zoning arrangement.”

“The polity of today requires a national leader that is going to reinvigorate the cohesion and unity of the country. What Nigeria needs is not a zonal president, what we need is a Nigerian president. And, therefore, we are throwing it (contest) open,” he had said.

The source said Ortom apologised when his neutrality was questioned over his endorsement of the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, and zoning of the presidency to the South.

“He apologised saying that he was misquoted. It was at this point that it was resolved that henceforth, members of the committee should not speak to the press,” he said.

While hosting Wike in Makurdi, Benue State capital, recently, Ortom had said “On southern presidency I stand.”

The claim of the founding member was corroborated by another member of the committee, who said the work of the committee was almost concluded.

“We have reached a resolution but we decided to make further consultations. We have reached a midcourse that all aspirants should ‘market’ themselves,” he said.

DAILY TRUST