Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha

A group known as Ndigbo National Assembly (NUA) has called on the leadership and elders of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to pick its Vice Presidential candidate from the South East geopolitical zone for balance, equity, fairness and justice.

The group said that there could be no reason whatsoever the party would adduce for not picking its Vice President from South Eastern part of the country, warning that the party would pay dearly if they shortchange Ndigbo again.

National President of NAU,  Dede Uzor A. Uzor who stated this while reacting to alleged plot to zone the PDP Vice Presidential slot to South West zone instead of South East where it was earlier zoned, saying that for PDP to have impact and possibly win the election, it must zone the Vice President seat to southeast.

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He said it has become necessary following reports both in the social and traditional media that the party might have rezoned its Vice Presidential candidate in the February Presidential election to the South West instead of the South East which it was earlier zoned to.

Uzor described the planned re-zoning as another ‘slap on Ndigbo’, saying the action might not be unconnected with attempt by the PDP to appease some generals who are returning back to the party.

The group warned PDP to ‘technically and tactically’ avoid the temptation of imposing candidates on Nigerians without due process as repeat of such grievous mistake may cause the party this coming election.

“This is the time for PDP to correct all the anomalies they committed that caused them 2015 presidential election.

“In view of their apologies to Nigerians of 16 years of misrule, the party should put their house in order. They should not go back to their status quo,” they said.

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The group said Ndigbo possessed the highest individual and collective qualities to lead this country not only as the Vice-President but as the President.

He, however, mentioned the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, former Central Bank Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo,Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe,  Victor Umeh, Ohaneze Ndigbo President-General, Chief Nnia Nwodo, Chief Festus Odimegwu,  and  others as  high calibre Ndigbo who can at anytime handle the affairs of this country.

The group warned that shortchanging Ndigbo in PDP inspite of the enormous contribution they had made for the survival of the party would amount to insult to the people.

“Late Dr. Alex Ekwueme, who founded the party,  was shortchanged. If not for the support and  consistency of Ndigbo in the National Assembly led by Ekweremadu, PDP would have by now been dead and buried.

“The PDP leaders and elders should stick to pick credible men its Vice Presidential candidate from Southeast” Uzor stated.