By TUNDE JOSHUA
The zoning of the presidential candidate spot of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) expectedly will top the agenda at its 96th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.
To do this, the meeting needs to consider a report submitted by the PDP Zoning Committee led by Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom.
To be presided over by the National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, the meeting may likely consider the approval of funds budgeted for the party’s presidential primaries and the source of funding.
The NEC will not end the meeting without fixing a venue for the primaries, though there is a strong indication it may take place in Abuja.
Though a few governors are said to be lobbying to host the party primaries in their states. Meanwhile, as the party is busy searching for a standard-bearer, the Forum of PDP Former Presiding Officers of State Houses of Assembly at a meeting in Abuja on Tuesday set up a 10-man committee to interface with all presidential aspirants under the party platform.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Hon. Inuwa Garba said the committee is to further liaise with the presidential aspirant and the PDP leadership to ensure credible and successful presidential primaries as well as victory at the 2023 general elections.
The form also commended the leader ship of the party, led by Senator Iyorchia Ayu, and therefore called on all PDP federal members and the leadership at all level to remain committed and dedicated to the ideals of the party in order ensure success at all levels in the coming elections in Nigeria.
“We have received submissions and interaction with most of the presidential aspirants and the forum decided to form this committee so that we can further check and see their capacity, credibility and make recommendation to larger General Assembly of the forum so that we can take a decision on behalf of the all of us on which candidate can we unanimously support so that we can ensure successful conduct in the primaries and in the general election.
“We don’t want our forum members to go and vote randomly, we want to have a block vote for a particular candidate whom we agree, have the capacity and credibility to win the general elections for the nation. “ Consensus is not part of our mandate.
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We are not a political party, PDP is a political party and they’ve set up a committee on this issue. Whatever the party resolves is binding on us, we are not to determined or to decide for the party.
“So we are not here to decide for the PDP, but as far as this forum is concerned, we are looking at larger country in Nigeria. We are looking at a candidate that will emerge that is for Nigeria’s, we are looking at a candidate that will emerge and win a general election that all Nigerians irrespective of political divides will accept him as a president for Nigeria, and he will work for Nigeria and make Nigeria better, Rescue Nigeria.”
Members of the committee are Right Hon. Rt Hon. Inuwa Garba; Rt. Hon. Prof. Matoh D. Dogara; Rt. Hon. Dr. Bakkita Bello; Rt. Hon. Dr. Boyelayefa Debekeme; Rt Hon. Ass. Prof. Rabiu A- Kurfi; Rt. Hon Williams Edor; Rt Hon. Jonas Okeka; Rt. Hon: Joyce Ramnap; Rt. Hon. Barr Friday Itula and Rt Hon. Kwamoti Laori.
