ZONING STAYS, SAYS PDP NEC

The Peoples Democratic Party National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting came to an end at about 6.pm on Thursday without a communiqué from the party National Working Committee.

But Saturday Sun source revealed that the party resolved to sustain the existing  zoning arrangement, and also resolved to throw open the party presidential ticket to interested aspirants.

The source further revealed that the Katsina State governor, Ibrahim Shema moved the motion to sustain zoning while the former chairman of PDP Board of Trustees, (BoT) Chief Tony Anenih seconded it.

The party, however, advised the PDP National Working Committee to stay action on the e-registration scheme for party members. The PDP governors present spoke in unison against it at the meeting attended by almost all that matter in the PDP.

The NEC also resolved to re-admit the Abia State governor, Theodore Orji to the party. The Abia governor had on Wednesday paid a visit to the party national secretariat to formally declare his intention to return to PDP.

Meanwhile, former Plateau State governor and foundation chairman of the party, Chief Solomon Lar, yesterday expressed delight over the decision taken by the party NEC to allow the incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2011 presidential election.

Lar told journalists that the position taken on zoning was in the best interest of the country.

'The party has been able to resolve the matter in the interest of the country.

I am happy that the party has said President Jonathan can continue with the joint ticket he enjoyed with the late President, Umaru Yar'Adua. That's the position of the party', the former national chairman of PDP submitted.