Follow Us on Google
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have rejected the zoning of presidential ticket for the 2027 general election to the South.
The PDP had, at its 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, on Monday, zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South and retained the national chairmanship in the North.
However, the FCT stakeholders, consisting of local government and ward chairmen, council chairmen and secretaries, among others, at a meeting in Abuja, said the NEC decision was unacceptable.
They noted that the North Central could no longer continue to play a subordinate role in the politics of the country, and vowed to resist any attempt to stop their preferred candidate from the North Central region.
Other News
One of the stakeholders, Soko Dobo held that the North Central was solidly behind Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim to seek the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 poll. Dobo noted that efforts were on to mobilise delegates across the country in his favour.
According to him, “The National Chairman himself said zoning does not mean others cannot contest. We, in the North Central, are fully behind Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim.”
Olawepo-Hashim, while speaking at the meeting, thanked party leaders and supporters for endorsing his aspiration and assured them that he would not disappoint.
The PDP chieftain, while urging the FCT stakeholders not to be discouraged by the NEC’s zoning decision, recalled that in 1999 the PDP still allowed aspirants outside the favoured zone to contest.
He said: “I have no intention of backing down. No party can close its doors to any Nigeria’s aspiration. The North Central has never produced a President or Vice President, and it will be unfair to deny us the chance now.”
