….As Igbo Elders Forum insist on candidate from South East
By Myke Uzendu
The fate of 14 Presidential aspirants of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will today be decided by 811 delegates of the party following the failure of the aspirants to arrive at a consensus.
With the exit of former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, the race is now narrowed down between the North and South with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State as the face of the South and probably an Atiku Abubakar for the North.
Following the inability of the aspirants to arrive at consensus and the jettisoning of zoning by the party, many pundits are predicting that the race is narrowed down to Atiku, Wike, Saraki and Tambuwal.
There are strong indications that the party’s leadership is working towards producing a northern presidential candidate owing to its belief that it can only unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) with a candidate from the north, but Governor Wike of Rivers state, who has emerged as the leading aspirant from the southern zone, is still rated by many as someone who can pull a surprise and alter the party’s plan.
There also seems to be a ground swell within the party that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Senate President Bukola Saraki are the best options among the numerous northern presidential aspirants. While Atiku’s supporters are touting his vast political networks across the country as what PDP needs to unseat the APC, Saraki’s promoters are quick to point to his non-commitment to the party.
Nevertheless, Atiku who was the 2019 Presidential candidate of the party has the experience, large financial war chest, network, political sagacity and capacity to get delegates to his side.
However, Atiku does not enjoy the support of many party members following his unholy alliance with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014 that led to the defeat of President Goodluck Jonathan. Atiku has also been accused of abandoning the party and seeking abode in the United Arab Emirate (Dubai) when the party was out of power only to resurface when the election activities was about to commence. Also, the recent delete of the tweet by the former Vice President condemning the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto over blasphemy when threatened by some Muslim faithful has portrayed him as a bigot who has sympathy for jungle justice and can sacrifice decency and justice to achieve his political ambition.
Wike on the other hand will enjoy massive support from the governors, some PDP National Working Committee (NWC) members, Southern delegates and has also penetrated delegates in those states where PDP does not have a serving governor. It is believed that Wike has the capacity to match Atiku financially and even outspend him. Though loud mouthed, Wike is a force that must be watched.
Former Senate President Bukola Saraki is considered as a hot contender, who has the advantage of youthfulness, coming from the North Central and close to the power brokers. Saraki will win the chunk of the votes from Kwara state and do very well in other north central state. His performances in other states, especially in the northwest and southwest will determine how far he can go.
Governor of Sokoto State, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal is also a strong contender in the race who traversed the length and breadth of the party selling his statesmanship, legislative and executive capacity as well as acceptability among the governors being the chairman of PDP governors forum. His chance is bleak because he is very the North East, same zone that produced the exiting President, Muhammadu Buhari.
Anyim Pius Anyim, former senate president and former secretary to the government of the federation has moved round to canvass for votes but pundits say he is not entrenched in the politics of the opposition party enough to pull any surprise at the primary election. He will garner some votes in the southeast on the strength of the agitation for power shift but may not do much outside his zone.
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, though favoured by the fact that the North East is yet to taste the exalted position since the return of democracy in 1999 is regarded by many a pretender who just want to launch his ambition and go back to secure this re-election as Bauchi state governor.
Other aspirants include Gov. Udom Emmanuel, Ayodele Fayose, Dr. Hayatu-Deen Mohammed, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, Charles Ugwu, Oliver Diana and Dele Momodu.
Meanwhile, Igbo Elders Council, FCT has appealed to PDP delegates to elect a candidate from the South East for equity, justice and fairness.
In a Press Conference on Thursday in Abuja former governor of Anambra State and Chairman of the group, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife said that it is unfortunate that processes leading to the election of party candidates have been heavily monetized by the aspirants.
“We urge delegates to shun and shame the greedy and selfish party leaders, and vote for presidential aspirants from the South East for the sake of justice, equity, fairness, peace and stability of Nigeria as to do otherwise may aggravate the current crises, insecurity and separatist agitations in the country, thus endangering the corporate existence of Nigeria.
“Dear delegates, super delegates, ordinary delegates the fate of Nigerians, more than 200million of them, are now in your hands in this period of heavy money politics. You are free to play the money game. There is no way you will stop taking money.
“My advice is that you take money from anywhere it comes, whoever gives it. Should they want you to take oat to vote for them, do not hesitate. At the point of voting, vote according to your conscience and you are free man or woman. Voting according to your conscience nullifies all oats” Ezeife insisted.
