Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Senator Buruji Kashamu has stated that the Southwest chapter has endorsed the zoning of the national chairmanship to the North.
He also stated the zone will back the chairmanship aspiration of the Acting Chairman, Senator Modu Sheriff, at the national convention.
In a statement, the senator from Ogun East District stated the Southwest PDP’s position is consistent with the position if the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The zoning formula has created crisis in the party, with many chieftains from the region rejecting the zoning of the chairmanship to the North. They complained that it was unfair for the North to produce the chairman when the party has considered zoning the presidency to the region.
The chieftains, including Chief Olabode George and Chief Ebenezer Babatope, have also condemned Sheriff’s aspiration to remain in office, recalling that he had promise to handover to a new helmsman at the convention.
But, Kashamu maintained that there is no going back on the zoning arrangement, adding that it has received the blessing of the Southwest PDP.
He said: “The NEC has endorsed our proposal that the position of the National Chairman should be retained in the North and the North-East in particular.
“The NEC has also zoned the offices of the National Secretary, National Auditor and National Publicity Secretary to the South-West.
“I wish to say that we would mobilise delegates from the Southwest to support the incumbent National Chairman, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, to continue in office, if he indicates his interest in contesting for the position of the National Chairman at the May 21, 2016 National Convention, scheduled for Port-Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
“I wish to say that, after consultations among the PDP Governors in the zone, NEC members, BoT members, NWC members, National Assembly members and other critical stakeholders, there will be another South-West PDP leaders’ meeting where the agreed zoning formula will be made public.”
Kashamu added: “It is, therefore, incumbent on all interested aspirants and stakeholders to return to their various domains for consultations and come up with their policy statements and programmes on why they seek the offices they seek.”
The politician stated although he has been criticised for his proposals and actions, he will remain committed to the best interest of the party, the people of the Southwest and Nigeria.
.....The Nation