PDP presidential ticket: Atiku reacts to Saraki’s claim on zoning

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has reacted to claims by Senate President, Bukola Saraki that this was the time for the North Central to be Nigeria’s president.

Speaking through the spokesman for the Atiku Campaign Organisation, Segun Sowunmi, the former Vice President said he was confident of emerging the PDP candidate in primaries to be held later this month.

Sowunmi told Punch that since the PDP had not micro-zoned the Presidency to the North-Central, Atiku would not step down for anyone.

He said, “The business of zoning is a party matter, and the PDP, to the best of my knowledge, has not micro-zoned its Presidency.

“It was only zoned to the North.” Having said that, the former Vice-President has evolved beyond the candidacy of a tendency or even a zone.

“He is a pan-Nigeria candidate but we recognise that this country has become extremely divided and it takes a pan-Nigerian, who has a relationship with every part of this country to be able to bring the nation together. This is one of the many reasons he is needed. “