Former Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor Patrick Ekpotu, said despite the agitations within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for the South to produce the president in 2023, political pragmatism dictates that the party needs the experience and reach of the former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP, he said, needs a united front and a purpose-driven strategy anchored on honest practical and viable options before it, to meaningfully challenge for power in 2023.
He said the current conversation about zoning, which according to him, is not totally a bad idea, was elicited by insensitive political leadership that has, over time, foisted nepotism in every facet of the system, thereby hurting the sensibility of many and leading to unveiled disillusionment, mutual distrust and widespread anger across the country.
This, according to him, is increasingly widening the chasm of disunity and unexpectedly forcing many into sectional, ethnic or religious enclaves and draining the oxygen of a dream country that promotes character, capacity and merit in the leadership selection process, rather than parochialism.
Ekpotu made these assertions in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.
According to the former deputy governor, this is not ordinary times, and the PDP and its faithful should appreciate this fact, and make informed decisions, devoid of regional, ethnic or religious sentiments if the party is serious with its intent to take back power from the APC.
He said Nigeria has never been this divided and almost in total ruination on all fronts since the return of democracy in 1999.
Ekpotu said: “Nigeria is at a crossroads and must make quick decisions that would ensure the country comes out of the dark valley. The PDP must have to lead this charge, as it apparently has the best chance more than ever before, in recent years of dethroning the ruling party.”
Continuing, he said: “Our country is in a terrible shape; the economy is in a shambles, all economic indicators are in the negative. This grave situation is made worse by the intractable security menace.
“Nigeria deserves a new direction, rejigged vision, rejuvenated vigour and inspiring leadership, that would prioritise the peace, unity, progress and happiness of Nigerians. That, to me, is the yearning of many people across the board.
“But the PDP must have to put its best foot forward in order to meet this overwhelming yearning of the people to sweep APC away from power in 2023.
“With no prejudice to the capacity of any other aspirants, or my own region, South-South, in PDP, to take a shot at the top job, Atiku’s political, administrative and human and resource management experiences, in the public and private sectors, present a visible edge that wouldn’t be easy to gloss over.”