The leadership of the Young Edo Professionals In Politics (YEPP) has reiterated its position that zoning of both internal party and public elective offices is enshrined in the Constitution of the People’s Democratic Party (PDO), and must as a consequence, be adhered to by stakeholders in Edo South in deciding the Senator to represent the district come 2023.
This was in reaction to a statement issued by a chieftain of the Party, Mr. Osaze Jesurobo, who the group said is unaware of the provisions of the Party’s Constitution on the issue of zoning.
In a statement jointly signed by Endurance Eguasa and Uyi Obakpolor on Sunday, YEPP stated that the issue of zoning has a long history in the PDP, and in fact, it was top in the agenda of its founding fathers.
“We read with bewilderment and utmost disappointment the ad hominem, intrinsically vacuous, and misleading statement issued by Osaze Jesurobo in response to our demand that zoning must be adhered to in the Edo South 2023 Senatorial race. Given the deliberate distortions, inherent mischief, and grossly illogical arguments canvassed in the said statement, our initial disposition was to not dignify it with a response. However, upon further reflection, and for the sake of posterity, we thought it wise to set the records straight, especially because the issue touches on a very germane Constitutional provision” , Eguasa stated
“In a desperate attempt to please his paymasters, Osaze Jesurobo ignorantly stated that zoning of elective public offices is unknown to the PDP Constitution, and as such, our demand for equity and justice in Edo South is misplaced. While calling on him to avail himself of a copy of the Constitution of the Party of which he is alleged to be a chieftain, we wish to state that zoning, as a principle, is clearly enshrined in Section 7 Subsection 3 (C) of the PDP Constitution. This can be found on pages 5-6 of the Constitutional document. For the purposes of clarity, the provision of sub section c is reproduced in extenso ‘…adhering to the policy of the ROTATION and ZONING of Party and PUBLIC ELECTIVE OFFICES in pursuance of the principle of equity, justice and fairness.”
“As a consequence, therefore, no individual can trample on the collective rights of any group of people under the pretext of political exigencies”
“We are salute the courage of Osazee Jesurobo for conceding in his response, though inadvertently, that no one can, in good conscience, clamor for the Senate to remain in Oredo beyond 2023. We also find it heartwarming that Osaze Jesuorobo acknowledges the long existing triumvirate structure of Edo South Senatorial District. We are confident that the leaders and stakeholders in the district would uphold equity and justice in the selection of the next senator for Edo South.”
“While reiterating our earlier demand for justice, fairness and equity in the zoning of the Senate out of Oredo division which, by 2023/2024, would have enjoyed 8 years in the Senate, 16 years as Governor and 24 years in non-rotational, permanent House of Representatives Seat at the National Assembly, we wish to admonish Osaze Jesurobo and his co-travellers to spend more time to read and understand the Constitution of the PDP instead of engaging in puerile proxy interventions that seek to infringe on the rights of the two other members of the Edo South tripod” , Eguasa concluded.
