The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders in the South West have reiterated their stance on the need to zone the 2023 presidency to the Southern region of the country.
The major opposition leaders, who converged on the Oyo State Government House in Ibadan, stated this in a seven-point communiqué issued at the end of their extended zonal caucus meeting held on Tuesday 22nd, March, 2022.
The communiqué fully reads:
“We the PDP in the South West believe in the corporate existence and unity of Nigeria.
“The unity of the South West is a non-negotiable issue, to this end, we demand that all dispute resolution mechanisms should should be on the front burner.
“The South West zone is in support of the Southern Governors’ Forum that the next president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should come from the South.
“The zone commends the only PDP Governor in the zone, Engineer Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for his infrastructural and development strides in the zone.
“The zone has agreed that we should do everything possible within our power to deliver Osun and Ekiti states to the party in their forthcoming off-season governorship elections.
“The zone is desirous of fairness, justice and equity in the distribution of federal positions and appointments and will support all efforts geared towards national cohesion through equitable distribution of federal positions and appointments amongst the geopolitical zones of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The South West zone reaffirms its position on restructuring of Nigeria.”
The PDP leaders at the meeting include Chief Olabode George, Senator Francis Fadahusi, former Governor Ayodele Fayose, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja.
Others are Prof. Olusola Eleka, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Prince Diran Odeyemi, Sikiru Ogundele among others.