*I am running for president; not Atiku’s running mate - Obi
The presidential aspirant of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi believes “there is nothing wrong” with calls for zoning in parts of the country as it makes a case for everyone to have “a sense of belonging for inclusiveness.”
The Anambra State former governor made this call while speaking on Nigeria Info’s Danfo Conversations with Ireti Bakare-Yusuf.
“Zoning calls for a sense of belonging for inclusiveness in a diverse country like Nigeria where you have different zones and different ethnic groups,” Obi said.
“I support it but we must moderate it with capacity and competence.”
There has been a growing clamour, especially in Southern Nigeria, for the country’s presidency to rotate to the South after the expiration of the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari.
When I wrote this piece weeks ago and made @PeterObi my number one pick for Nigeria's Presidency in this piece, I wasn't mistaken. Listening to him on 99.3 @NigeriainfoFM makes me believe I was right. https://t.co/BGvod6EuJU
— Ufuoma Egbamuno (@Foskolo) April 8, 2022
The ruling party, the All Progressives Party (APC) looks set to heed this call as many of its prospective candidates are from the South.
However, the issue seems to be splitting Obi’s party, the PDP as it is yet to make a definite pronouncement on zoning.
There are indications that the PDP may have thrown open the race for its presidential ticket.
Its presidential aspirant, Obi gave indications that this is the case.
”I support it (zoning) but since my party has jettisoned it, it is fine; let’s all compete,” Obi noted.
The chairman of the PDP’s Zoning Committee and Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom had earlier insisted that was not the case.
“I want to clear the insinuation that the Zoning Committee has thrown open the presidential ticket,” Ortom told Arise TV.
Obi also cleared the air on questions regarding his rumoured plan to get a Vice Presidential slot. The former Anambra governor insisted that he is in the race “contesting to be president.”
“I want my listeners to help me get the delegates to make me number one. I don't know where I would end up (but) nobody wants to be second."
When asked if he’d be running mate to former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, just like in 2019, if the Adamawa-born politician gets the PDP ticket, Obi said, "Atiku was a candidate then, I didn’t contest for it.
"If he becomes presidential (candidate) tomorrow, he will look round and choose the best person for the position; if I become president, I will do the same.”
