Cracks over zoning, consensus deepen in PDP

Those pushing for zoning of the ticket to the South are: former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Pius Anyim; one-time Anambra State Governor Peter Obi; industrialist Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa and a United States (U.S.)-based doctor, Nwachukwu Anakwenze.

Obi, who took his consultation to Edo State yesterday, called for sacrifice to move the country forward.

The aspirants have extended their campaigns to the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), the National Assembly Caucus, ex-ministers and the party’s Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu.

Saraki, who is the spokesman for the consensus group, has continued to hinge the preference for the mode on the need to enthrone unity in the party.

However, there has been suspicion that the group might be pursuing a Northern agenda, based on the ethnic origin of its members.

Dismissing such insinuation, Saraki clarified that all the aspirants in the race at the point the group was formed were all from the North.

According to him, the group will be expanded to accommodate aspirants from other zones. The group has focused consultations primarily on PDP governors.

There was a mild drama during the consensus campaigners’ stopover in Enugu State.

Saraki had announced to reporters that Ugwuanyi had given his support to the consensus option before the governor clarified that he would only welcome the idea if it is based on justice equity and fairness.

Ugwuanyi said: “I welcome consensus based on justice, equity and fairness.”

When asked if he was making an inference to zoning with his demand for justice, equity, and fairness, Ugwuanyi retorted: “If that is what you think it is, so be it.”

The Enugu helmsman was one of the six PDP governors who insisted on the zoning of the PDP presidential ticket at a meeting in Abuja last Friday.

Despite Saraki’s explanations, the division between proponents of consensus and those campaigning for zoning has given ethnic colouration to the contest.