Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, Ahmed Makarfi, has said the office of the national chairman of the party is not restricted to any particular zone in the Southern part of Nigeria.

Makarfi said this on Tuesday in Abuja at a meeting with aspirants who are looking to fill the position.

Background:

The party had zoned the office of the national chairman to the southern part of the country, while the presidential slot was ceded to the northern part at a convention in 2015.

Those who attended:

The meeting was attended by former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Bode George, Prof.  Tunde Adeniran, Prof.  Taoheed Adedoja, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Prince Uche Secondus, Chief Raymond Dokpesi and Chief Gbenga Daniel.

What Makarfi said:

• Makarfi said his committee cannot alter the the zoning arrangements that had been agreed.

Makarfi said, ”We have no power beyond the convention and I want to remind all of us, the only thing the convention did was to zone two positions and as chairman or caretaker committee, you cannot go beyond that.

“The office of the national chairman is zoned to the South while that of the president is for the North. No micro zoning.”

Azeez