Mustapha condemns imposition of candidates, micro-zoning in PDP

Former National Organising Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Abubakar Mustapha, yesterday condemned the imposition of persons as national officers of the party.

He stated this while submitting his nomination form for the National Secretary’s position at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.He spoke against the background of reports of micro-zoning the position of secretary to Katsina State.

Mustapha, who hails from the North West state of Kaduna, wondered why party leaders would zone the position, when the National Chairman, being highest position in the party was not micro-zoned.

He, therefore, cautioned the leaders not to plunge the party into a fresh crisis.“The National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Ahmed Makarfi, repeatedly told Nigerians that there would be no micro-zoning. Unfortunately, what we are beginning to understand now is that his directive is only for the position of the National Chairman.

“But for other positions, they can do micro-zoning. We don’t understand it. If one position is not micro-zoned, why should you then micro-zone other positions, which are even less in terms of protocol than the National Chairman?

“So, our appeal is for the National Caretaker Committee to rethink the arrangement. We have no doubt that a committee composed of highly credible individuals and tested Nigerians will do what is right and proper. They should avoid saying different things to different individuals and groups within the party.”

He added that he does not subscribe to micro-zoning in the North West, adding: “I want everybody to be allowed to go and test their popularity. And that is democracy. Anything short of this will amount to circumventing what is proper and right.”

While calling for a level playing field for all aspirants, Mustapha also kicked against imposition of candidates and impunity in the party’s forthcoming convention.