By Folorunso Alagbede, Abuja
Former Chairman of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential aspirant, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa has urged the PDP to zone its 2023 Presidential ticket to the South.
This is even as Ohuabunwa, also a former Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, NESG, pledged to create job opportunities for the nation’s jobless youths and guarantee security of the generality of the people if elected as the President of the country.
The aspirant and erstwhile President of Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association of, who said this while speaking with Journalists in Abuja, further promised eradicate poverty in the country as well as fight corruption and injustice in the country, if given the mandate as President.
Ohuabunwa noted that after eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari Presidency, all hands must be on deck to push for a President of Southern extraction.
Ohuabunwa said “I have written in my book, ‘Nigeria: Need For The Evolution of a New Nation,’ published in 2010, that given our level of political development, ethic diversity, lack of effort to unite us and harmonize us, differences that exist in religion, we need to organize the country in a manner that creates inclusiveness, that creates belongingness where we protect the majority and the minority.
Continuing, he said, “If we get to a point in our evolution as a nation, zoning and exclusion will become irrelevant. But the way it is today, you cannot have a wholesome nation if you do not have the opportunity to exclude and zone.
“That is why I think framers of the 1999 constitution as imperfect, as it is, provided for the federal character.
“It is not when it is your own turn that you say it’s your turn. When it’s another person’s turn, you say we should stop zoning. It cannot be done unilaterally. We all have to agree.
“For example, PDP has in their constitution, rotation of power, moving it North and South. How can they come in the middle of the day and tell you stories? I believe that one day zoning will end”, he said
On the mode of party’s primary to elect flag bearer, the Convener of New Nigeria Group (NNG) added, “I am in support of direct primary, let the people decide who they want. What is the competence level of aspirants that want to be President? what is the person’s character? And what is he coming up with?.
“Nigerians and party members should be allowed to decide who have a superior strategy and mission to solve our problems”, he said.
On the issue of security Ohuabunwa said if elected as President in 2023, he will invest in intelligence to secure the country.
He noted that poverty is one of the major causes of corruption in Nigeria, adding, “It is within those who have work and those who don’t have work. If they cannot get money to pay their bills, they get into corruption no matter their religion”.
To tackle corruption, he urged the government at all levels to create enabling environment for more job opportunities and ensure that the employees get a reasonable amount as living wages.
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