The Peoples Democratic Party has denied the rumour that it had chosen the zone where its 2023 presidential candidate would come from, saying the rumour was being spread by jittery members of the ruling All Progressives Party (APC).
Speaking during a press conference in Abuja on Monday presided by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party said it was concentrating on the November 16 governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States, adding, “those behind the speculation are political terrorists, whose plan is to mislead the public and cause disaffection within the ranks of our party with the hope of using such fabrications to further their own selfish political ambitions.”
It assured its members that it would not stop any of them from nursing the ambition to contest for the presidency in 2023, adding, however, “for the avoidance of doubt, our party is yet to discuss the 2023 presidential election, overtly or covertly, at any time whatsoever.
“If anything, the PDP is currently working with Nigerians on how to win the governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states and will not be distracted by individuals who found themselves operating in the highest offices of the land but are failing in governance,” the party stressed.
The NWC said they were working with the party elders, governors and legislators across in line with the party’s manifesto to make Nigeria better.
The NWC was reacting to reports in some national dailies that the party had zoned the presidential and vice presidential tickets to the North East and South East respectively.
The PDP NWC also debunked the speculation that the PDP governors were now sharply divided by the ambitions of some second term governors, especially Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
Ologbondiyan said: “PDP governors are not divided along any lines of ambition towards 2023, neither is there any plot to stop the ambition of any of our members.
“Moreover, it is also imperative to counsel, without any equivocation, that enemies of our party, who feel threatened by the rising profile of Governor Wike should have a rethink on their incessant attacks on him.”
