Ohanaeze Ndigbo knocks PDP over abandonment of zoning presidential ticket

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, a socio-cultural organisation for Igbos has tackled the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the abandonment of zoning of presidential ticket.

The group described it as a political suicide that has been committed by the party.

The oganisation through its National President General, Prof. George Obiozor condemned the decision of the Governor Ortom-led PDP committee on zoning for throwing the presidential ticket of the party open to all the aspirants from all parts of the country.

In a statement issued Thursday in Owerri by the National Publicity Secretary of Ohabeze Ndigbo Worldwide Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, wondered why the PDP has decided to jettison zoning when it is the turn of the South and particularly the South East of Nigeria.

He recalled that rotation and zoning principle was engrained into the PDP party’s Constitution in 2009.

He said: “Article 7 (2) (c) of the PDP Constitution states: ‘In pursuance of the principle of equity, justice and fairness, the party shall adhere to the policy of rotation and zoning of party and public elective offices, and it shall be enforced by the appropriate executive committee at all levels”.

Obiozor deplored the unconscionable shifting of the goal post at the middle of the game.

He condemned such unscrupulous violation of the zoning principle that has been well entrenched in the PDP constitution which according to him changes the rules of the game in order to deprive Ndigbo the opportunity to produce a president for Nigeria.

He said: ” it is a political blunder and betrayal given what Ndigbo have suffered in our own country and most recently for supporting the PDP”.

He condemned the machinations and conspiracies to deny Ndigbo their due place in Nigeria describing it as an ingratitude that daily cries to God.

Prof. Obiozor reiterated the position of the Southern and Middle Belt Leadership Forum led by Chief E K Clark that any party that does not zone it presidential ticket to the South should not expect the support of the Middle Belt and the entire South.

He said: “it is therefore curious that the PDP should commit political hara-kiri at a time it is struggling for a fresh air”.

Obiozor said that it is unfortunate that the PDP glomourises inordinate ambitions; any political ambition that undermines nation building adding that it should be checkmated.

He said: “Let it be known that it runs contrary to the indomitable Igbo spirit to swallow any form of indignity, disdain or condescension from anybody or group”.

The President insisted that it is highly inconceivable that the Igbo will validate a party or group that runs roughshod over its sensibilities.

He said: “Development is a product, an effect that arises from peace, unity and national coherence. On the other hand, the basics of peace, unity and sustainable national development is justice, equity and human dignity”.The President Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide urges all the Igbo presidential aspirants to remain focused and undaunted because of the PDP shenanigans adding that the history will always vindicate the just.

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