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Zoning Controversy: You Can’t Bar Anyone From Contesting – Osunbor

Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, a former Governor of Edo State, has spoken on the controversy trailing the issue of zoning in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), saying nobody should be barred from contesting for the Presidency in 2023.

Speaking in a chat with the news reporters, Osunbor said people should be allowed to aspire to any office as long as they meet the eligibility criteria specified by the political parties and the constitution of the federal republic.

He said: “There is freedom of expression, freedom of thought and freedom to hold and impart opinion under the Constitution. People are free to express their opinions and to aspire to any office in the land so long as they meet the eligibility criteria. You cannot gag anybody.

“To the best of my recollection, since 1999 no one or section of the country has ever been prevented from aspiring to the office of President.

“However, there is usually a consensus within each political party as to where the Presidential ticket should go. When that happens, participation by aspirants who defy that understanding or zoning arrangement becomes merely academic.”

He added that while everyone is free to aspire, it is the responsibility of the party to decide who becomes the flagbearer of the party based on consensus or mutual understanding.

“So to answer your question directly, anybody from any section of the country can express his or her preference and even aspire but at the appropriate time, the party will decide based on the consensus or understanding.”

 

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