Former governor of Ekiti, Ayodele Fayose, has quit the zoning committee of the Peoples Democratic Party to pursue his presidential ambition ahead of the 2023 elections. 

Mr Fayose, in a letter dated April 5, 2022, and addressed to the Benue governor, Samuel Ortom, who is the committee chairman, said it would be morally wrong for him to remain a committee member, having hinted to the party of his presidential ambition. 

He appreciated the PDP for his appointment as a member of the committee, noting that another, Gbenga Faseluka, has been nominated to replace him in the committee.

The letter reads in part: “I write to formally appreciate the party and all members of this committee. 

“I thank you all for your statesmanship, selflessness and sense of patriotism to our party and by extension our nation in the way you have handled and comported yourselves so far in deliberations regarding this delicate and sensitive issue/assignment, the zoning of public offices, particularly that of the President. 

“I pray the outcome will bring understanding, peace and stability to our party and our nation at large.

“Having hinted during our last meeting of my intention to run for the office of the president in the coming primary election and by God’s grace: the general election. It will not be morally right for me to continue to participate in the zoning debate, being an aspirant myself.

“Therefore,  my state has nominated the bearer of this letter, Dr Gbenga Faseluka to replace me,” added the letter.

Although the former governor has not officially declared to contest the presidency, this letter has cleared all doubt regarding his interest in the country’s top job.