South-South National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Emmanuel Ogidi, has expressed confidence that the party’s decision to zone its presidential ticket to the South and retain the national chairmanship in the North will pave the way for reconciliation and the return of some aggrieved members.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Ogidi noted that the zoning structure approved by the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) on Monday has been well received across the country.
“We know that because of that decision taken yesterday, a lot of our members will come back. So let’s wait for that part,” he said.
Ogidi added that while speculation continues over potential presidential aspirants such as former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, the party’s immediate priority is ensuring the success of its forthcoming national convention scheduled for November 15–16.
He explained that the zoning outcome was the product of extensive deliberations by the party’s zoning committee, inaugurated two weeks earlier, and stressed that it represents a step towards healing internal divisions.
Ogidi remarked, “The truth of the matter is that right now, we are concerned with our convention, not the presidential because it’s still a long way to go. What we are concentrating on now, is how to make the convention successful because it’s still not over. We know there are one or two things that we still have to do.
“Yesterday, again, we took a bitter pill. So, we’re still in the healing process and we appreciate the fact that Nigerians are happy with what we’re doing so far. It means that we’re on track. We’re concentrating on the success of the convention. Whatever we did yesterday has to be ratified by the convention.”
Melissa Enoch
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