The former Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and one of the presidential aspirants of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, has reacted to a suggestion made by another aspirant, Rabiu Kwankwaso, that the party should pick its next presidential candidate from the North West.
Makarfi, who is a former Governor of Kano State, told Vanguard that it was Kwankwaso’s personal view.
He also made it clear that PDP had zoned the presidency to the 19 Northern states and FCT and their candidate could come from anywhere.
“That’s his personal view. One can only try to understand what his reason could have been.
“I have not discussed with him, but his reason may be because of the high voters’ registration and large turnout usually seen in these states.
“But that is not the position of the party. The position of the party is that the presidency is zoned to the 19 northern states and FCT. So it is open to aspirants from the 19 northern states and FCT.
“So, whoever the party men and women find suitable from the zone as its presidential candidate, we will support him. It happened before when we saw a presidential candidate come from a small state and he was widely accepted and supported.
“Kwankwaso is expressing his personal opinion. It should not be construed to say that it is a right and the exclusive preserve of certain states. I don’t think he could have meant that but for me the position of the party is very clear.”