By Lucky Isibor
The South south zone of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP has rejected the reintroduction of the offshore/onshore dichotomy in the calculation of the thirteen percent derivation for oil producing states in the country.
The party made its position known in a communique issued at the end of its 7th zonal executive committee meeting held Sunday, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
The zonal executive also called on the National Assembly to consider the issue of restructuring as a panacea for a united Nigeria and true Federalism.
“The PDP South south zone reject the reintroduction of the offshores/onshore dichtomy inconsistent to the principles of federalism.
“The zone encourages the National Assembly to consider the issue of restructuring as a panacea for a united Nigeria and true Federalism”.
The communique also stressed the resolve of the zone to work with other zones of the party to produce a credible presidential candidate for the party in the 2019 general elections just as it frowned at what it called the unwarranted harassment of opposition by the ruling party and condemned the killings in Benue and Plateau states allegedly by Fulani herdsmen.
“The zone will work with other zones in the country to produce a credible presidential candidate for the 2019 presidential elections within the confine of credible and acceptable democratic process as stipulated by the party’s constitution.
“The party condemn in its entirety the unwarranted arrest and detention of PDP members across the country especially the arrest of the Edo State chairman of PDP Chief Dan Osi Orbih, PDP South south zone for flimsy excuses.
“The zone commends the Edo State Executive Committee of the party and the entire PDP family for their resilience and sustainability of the party despite the unfavourable and hostile political terrain in the state.
“The party condemns the various killings of innocent Nigerians across the country and express the party’s heartfelt condolence to the people of Plateau and Benue States over the recent killings of innocent citizens by Fulani herdsmen”, the communique said.
Welcoming members of the South south zonal executive of the party to the meeting earlier, Edo state chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbih said the decision to hold the party’s zonal meeting is coming at a time the entire nation is looking up to PDP to save democracy in Nigeria.
While briefing the zonal executive of the state of PDP in the state, Chief Orbih assured that the state chapter of the party will deliver not less than 65% of the votes in the 2019 presidential election and other elections that will follow.
“I believe the decision to hold the zonal working committee meeting in Edo state is coming at a time the nation is looking up to PDP to save democracy in Nigeria.
“PDP today in Edo state is doing very well and it is ready to deliver the party in the presidential and other elections that will follow”, Orbih said.
In his opening remarks, the Vice-chairman, PDP, South south, Mr. Emmanuel Ogidi berated the ruling party for being intolerant of opposition saying that what opposition suffer in the northern part of the country is more than what is being experienced in the south.
He commended Edo state chairman of the party for his doggedness and promised the continuous support of the zonal leadership of the party.
