The Southwest zone of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday aligned with the decision of Southern governors that the next President should come from the region.
The zone also reaffirmed its position on restructuring the country in the interest of fairness, justice and equity.
It expressed the desire for fair distribution of federal positions and appointments, pledging to support all efforts geared towards national cohesion.
These are part of the communique of the extended zonal caucus meeting held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The seven-point communique reads in part: “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 offseason 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-Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko said: “What I will tell you is that there has been a consensus on all the points in the communique but I won’t tell you the nitty-gritty.
“On the issue of zoning of the presidency, the Southern governors in their wisdom advocated that the position of the President should come to the South.
“This meeting has endorsed that. We have also endorsed that Nigeria needs peace and we cannot stop at anything to ensure peace for our country. I think those are issues that are not controversial.”
Asked if the call for zoning of the position would not pit a region against the other in view of the decision of some northern leaders of the party showing interest in the position, the former Ondo Governor said: “Matters of equity and justice cannot pit one side against another. It is inequity and injustice that can pit one side against the other.
“What we are advocating is what the Southern governors advocated. So, this equitable and just position is one that can ensure peace for the country, not the other way round.”
The roll call
Some of the leaders at the caucus meeting include Chief Olabode George, Makinde, former Governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti) and Chief George.
Others are Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; former Ekiti State Deputy Governor Olusola Eleka; PDP National Vice-chairman, Southwest, Olasoji Adaguodo; Senator Abiodun Olujimi, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, Oyo State PDP chairman, Dayo Ogungbenro; zonal secretary, Rahaman Owokoniran and Oyo Assembly Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin.
The Nation
