The People’s Democratic Party in Abia State, has revealed that their recent decision on the governorship zoning of the party, was collectively reached and agreed upon by members of the State Working Committee of the party and was not taken under duress.
The party who made this known through the State Publicity Secretary, Mr Fabian Nwankwo, in a media briefing, said the decision of the party to zone the governorship ticket to two senatorial zones of the state, Abia Central and Abia North, was carefully and unanimously agreed upon, stating that there was no external influence or interference from any part of the state that formed the party’s decision.
PDP State Publicity Secretary,Mr Fabian Nwankwo
Mr Nwankwo noted that during the just concluded familiarization visit to the 17 Local Government Areas of the State, the party got higher demand and agitations for governorship from Abia North and Central, while Abia South was less.
“The zoning was a unanimous decision of the State Exco.It is was a decision arrived at based on the party’s consultations and observations.
“It is a decision we collectively agreed on,we were not induced or acted under duress”, he said.
The State Publicity Secretary also added that the decision was the mind of the party.
When asked if the recent zoning of governorship ticket to two senatorial zones would be the formula going forward, the Publicity Secretary said, the strategy was only adopted because Abia Central and Abia North made higher demands for the governorship seat to be zoned to their areas, saying that for fairness, the party decided to give the two zones the equal opportunity.
“No two elections are the same, the strategy used in 2019 elections,might not be the same strategy for the 2023 elections. Each electioneering year comes with its own strategy”.
He stated that the recent governorship zoning formula would among other things make for peace, fairness and giving everyone a sense of belonging.
Recall that the People’s Democratic Party, recently,zoned the Abia Governorship ticket to two zones, Abia Central and North, against the political trend that featured governorship being zoned to one senatorial district.
The issue which has been emanating series of reactions from Abians, politicians,as well as political analysts, accused the leadership of the party in the state of being induced.
Meanwhile, the Abia State PDP Elders Committee who met in Umuahia last week, reaffirmed and endorsed the decision of the party as regards the zoning formula.
In a Communique signed and issued by the the Chairman, Chief (Sir) Tony Ukasanya and the Secretary, Chief Emma Ibegbulam,at the end of their Council meeting, affirmed and supported wholly the decision on zoning of the Governorship of Abia State in 2023 and other ancillary decisions by the State Working Committee and the State Executive Committee of the Party.
The Communique further stated that all members of the People’s Democratic Party are directed to channel any grievances and misgivings through proper Party channels for clarification.
After an in-depth deliberation on the affairs of the People’s Democratic Party, Abia State, the committee elected and affirmed the election of Chief Tony Ukasanya as Chairman of the Elders Committee and Chief Emma Ibegbulam as Secretary.
The Committee also passed a vote of confidence on the Leader of the Party in Abia,Governor Okezie Ikpeazu (Ph.D) and the State Working Committee of the PDP, led by the Chairman, Rt.Hon.Dr.Alwell Asiforo Okere.
