Atiku was encouraged to run for 2023 presidential election in violation of PDP constitution – Ozichukwu

• Says Nigeria needs a leader with character, honour, integrity

From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri

The former National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party and Zonal Chairman of PDP, South East Zone, Nze Ozichukwu Fidelis Chukwu, has expressed very strong reservations over former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s participation in the 2023 presidential election under the platform of the PDP.

He felt it was in total violation of the constitution and tradition of the party.

He said that “Waziri Atiku is very highly regarded and respected in the party and admired by Ndigbo, but that that singular act hit a fatal blow.”

Ozichukwu also blamed both ex-President Jonathan and then-Governor Nyesom Wike for their expression of interest in the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the PDP.

“Yes, they have rights. It’s their constitutional right, but those rights are expressible under the context of honour and integrity. It was not fair of them to have ignored the sensitivities and sensibilities of the South-East.

“Within the PDP, the South-East had paid its dues and was rightly expecting the PDP to reciprocate. Unfortunately, the PDP failed them.

“However, those who claim to be leaders of the South-East PDP should review their roles in the denial of the South-East of the PDP presidential ticket in 2023.

“Unfortunately again, those putting bold faces and pretending to be heroes of the Igbo evidently suffer anaesthetisation of conscience.”

The immediate past President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, who stated this in a chat with TheSun.ng, noted, “the PDP constitution which stipulates that the presidency of the country will alternate between the North and the South.”

He said that “the Party’s constitution further states that whichever region it alternates to must as a matter of tradition and conscience ensure that it reflects the geo-political character of the region.”

Continuing, he said, “what the nation seriously needs now is reconciliation and healing. Not only with the Igbo, but all that feel politically disenfranchised, socially excluded, and economically vulnerable. Particularly the youths that have been consistently profiled, stigmatised, and consequently alienated.

“It is, therefore, of utmost importance that we look for a leader who has character, honour, and integrity guided by a sense of history. The leader must also have a reputation for empathy and compassion.

“It’s not one driven by the pathology of the IDP of our tumultuous political past.”