PDP congress: Kaduna chairmanship aspirant kicks against ‘micro-zoning’ of positions

Waziri Ashafa, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna, has kicked against the alleged plan to “micro-zone” positions during the party’s congress.

The PDP will commence its congress on July 27 in 24 states of the federation, starting with the ward level.

The congress will enable the opposition party to elect new leadership at the wards, LGAs, and states.

Ashafa is intending to contest the position of the Kaduna PDP chairman.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Ashafa accused the Kaduna PDP leadership of allegedly refusing to sell nomination forms to some aspirants ahead of the state congress in August.

He added that the same strategy was used in 2020 when he and some aspirants forcefully bought nomination forms but were not screened.

The PDP chieftain said the plan to micro-zone some positions in the state executive is a “plot by political buccaneers to impose their preferred candidates.”.

Ashafa said he had petitioned the national leadership of the party on the issue.

“For me as a person, I am vehemently opposed to micro zoning of positions because it limits us from getting the best among us,” he said.

“Micr-zoning is a concept by some political buccaneers who want to narrow the contest to their preferred candidates. This is undemocratic and is unacceptable.

“They don’t want to sell nomination forms to contestants. They said forms would be sold to those who emerge after the consensus arrangement.”

The PDP chieftain said if elected Kaduna PDP chairman, he will unite the party and anchor his leadership on fairness and equity.