Ebonyi Assembly Demands S’East 2023 Presidency, Issues PDP Ultimatum

• Ebonyi State House of Assembly has given the National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party a seven-day ultimatum

The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has given the National leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party a seven-day ultimatum to zone its presidential ticket to the South-East or be prepared for “great losses.”

Briefing journalists in Abakaliki, on Monday, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Francis Nwifuru, said it was only proper for the PDP to zone its 2023 presidential ticket to the South East in the spirit of democracy, equity and fairness.

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Nwifuru said, “On this note, we are giving our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, seven days ultimatum to convoke the National Executive Committee of the party and zone the position of the presidency to the South-East Nigeria, especially as INEC has officially announced the date of the presidential election.

“Failure to adhere to these kind requests will cost our party heavily and we, the honourable members of the 6th Ebonyi State House of Assembly, will leave no stone unturned in taking decisive actions to ensure that traditions and dividends of democracy are respected in our party.

“Equally, the party should not contemplate the removal of the National Chairman of the Party, Prince Uche Secondus, as it is customary that the zone (South) from where the national chairman comes from produces the presidential candidate of the party. If this advice is not adhered to, it will further divide and destabilise the party along sectional and regional lines.

“We, the honourable members of the sixth Ebonyi State House of Assembly, wish to draw the attention of our great party, the PDP, to the rightful yearning of our industrious and peace-loving people of the South East Nigeria, that the position of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria come 29th May, 2023, be zoned to the South East.”

The Speaker said the zone has an array of tested and globally acclaimed individuals who possess the quality needed to develop the nation.

He said “Some of the personalities includes, Persons like Peter Obi, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, Sen. Ike Ekwerenmadu, Sen. Theodore Orji, Achike Udenwa and a host of others.

“So, we have qualified people who are very much available for this position. We did not mention our Governors not because they are not qualified but these highly qualified persons are not holding positions currently and there are other eminent qualified Igbo leaders as well who are trusted, competent, capable and reliable.”

He dismissed speculations that members of the house were planning a mass defection from the PDP to join the All Progressives Congress.

When contacted, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said he wasn’t aware of the said ultimatum.”

Source: Punch