The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would reportedly hold a special national convention to elect its presidential candidate in Abuja.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Debo Ologunagba, confirmed the development to The PUNCH.
The party had held its last special convention in Port Harcourt, where former vice president, Atiku Abubakar emerged as its presidential candidate in 2019.
Ologunagba said the National Working Committee (NWC) picked Abuja which he said, was a neutral ground for all aspirants.
He, however, said the Abuja venue was subject to ratification by the National Executive Committee (NEC) on Wednesday.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE had earlier reported that amongst the issues to be discussed at the NEC meeting on Wednesday, was the report of the Governor Samuel Ortom’s committee on zoning of the presidential ticket for the 2023 polls.
The 37-man zoning panel had reportedly recommended that the presidential ticket be thrown open to all qualified aspirants.
Reports quoting sources privy to the details of the recommendation, said the committee had resolved thus: “(1) Zoning, as in our party constitution, is affirmed.
2) Inspite of (1) above, ticket is thrown open, this time around due to exigency of time.
“Our party is encouraged to always make the issue of zoning very clear at least six months before sales of forms. Our party should commend the efforts of some our contestants on the issue of consensus candidacy; the efforts should be seen to a peaceful and logical conclusion,” the reports quoted to committee to have recommended.
The Senator David Mark-led screening committee of the party had on Friday, cleared 15 out of the 17 aspirants that picked the expression of interest and nomination forms for the presidential ticket.
The committee however, screened two aspirants for failing to meet necessary requirements.
