Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has tackled members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who are against zoning the party’s 2023 presidential ticket to the south.
Wike said zoning the ticket is the right thing to do in the interest of fairness, equity, and justice, adding that someone like him is who the PDP needs to dislodge the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023.
The Rivers State Governor who recently declared his intention to contest the 2023 presidency added that northern PDP politicians and others who are against zoning are doing so for selfish reasons.
He added that zoning was put in place by the founding fathers of the party due to the complexities of the country and the need to create fairness in the distribution of elective positions.
He added that even the constitution supports zoning so those not favoured by the calls for zoning should not lie to Nigerians because of their selfish interests.
TrackNews reports Wike made the submissions on Wednesday at a meeting with PDP Senators and members of the House of Representatives in Abuja.
In his words, “Our founding fathers never made a mistake, they know the complexity of this country, it is not because they don’t want merit, no, but they said for Nigeria to move forward, this is the way we are going to do it for fairness, equity and justice.
“The constitution provides that there shall be rotation of parties, offices and elective positions for fairness, equity and justice. Some people argued let us win first before we share. But when we zoned in 2017, what did we have, were we in power?
“People should speak the truth, it doesn’t stop you from running election. You won’t because I want to run for president, I will want to go and tell lies to people, we don’t do that, that is not fair. In 2017 everybody knew I championed Tambuwal’s (Sokoto Governor) election, I have no regret about it, if such an opportunity comes again I will do the same thing. But let us tell ourselves the truth and that was why nobody came from the south to even collect form.
“We all agreed, zone it here, it doesn’t stop you from running election. But don’t scatter what the founding fathers have laid down because of your selfish interest.”
Governor Wike boasted that he has transformed the fortunes of Rivers State and is ready to do the same to Nigeria, adding that the All Progressives Congres (APC) should be afraid as he is ready to take the battle to them.
“PDP requires a strong and determined person. I am presenting myself, I am qualified.
What is important for now is who can do this job. Who can go and meet APC, the fight has started. And I am sure APC wherever they are now, they are not sleeping because they know I have come out and it will not be easy.
“I have made myself available, age is on my side, too much energy to run around and solve the problems of this country. So I am making myself available,” he said.
