By Our Reporter
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) recently concluded its National Convention in Abuja. One of the highpoints of that event was the party throwing open its doors for any presidential aspirant from any of the six geopolitical zones.
Though it zoned the National Chairmanship to the north which was eventually won by former Senate President, Iyorchia Ayu, the decision not to zone the presidency has been hailed by many stakeholders as ennobling.
However, while many think this may lead to the emergence of credible candidates, others fear that this liberality may end up making one region go home with the National Chairmanship and the Presidential Candidate at the same time.
No matter the way this goes, one thing is sure, that the race for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate will be deep, interesting, fierce and even frustrating. This is given the high-rated politicians who have indicated interest to fly the party’s flag.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar:
In rating of occupation of the highest political office Atiku is leading the pack, as a former vice president of the federation and the former presidential candidate of the party in the 2019 general elections.
In the 2018 convention of the party held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, Atiku clinched the ticket with 1,532 votes, Tambuwal, Saraki and Turaki garnered 693, 317 and 65 votes respectively.
Though there has been no official declaration by him, it is obvious he would want to taste the waters again,
buoyed by his last outing.
His posters were part of those that flooded the convention venue. Atiku has travelled the length and breadth of the country in the past two years, building bridges of friendship, and considering his age, 2023 is his last chance to realize his dream of governing Nigeria as an elected President.
Tambuwal:
At the Port-Harcourt convention,
Tambuwal was the most favoured among the aspirants because he had the backing of the Rivers Governor zone Nyesom Wine. However, he finished second. As chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, the Sokoto state governor has in the past three years visited the six geo-political zones as well as top leaders of the country including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida. He also has the support of Wike and backed by the Caliphate, he is surely a force to reckon with
Saraki: Former Senate Dr. Bukola Saraki is yet to officially indicate interest in running. His 2023 Presidential posters are found at designated areas of the nation’s capital and they also made a loud statement at the convention. Although he was quick to dismiss them, the ex-Kwara state governor has continued to make significant inroads into the nation’s political geographical zones. He used his position as the chairman of the PDP’s reconciliation and strategy committee to achieve some mileage in this regard. But being a long-time ally of Atiku and a friend of Tambuwal, it seems he has an uphill task to upset these two if he must achieve his ambition.
Tanimu Turaki:
The former Minister of Special Duties, in Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN) is one of the aspirants that have already made their interest known.
He however is coming with some baggage. He has been a two-time governorship aspirant in his state without success. He is also under the radar of the EFCC with some of his aides being arraigned for graft. In 2023, he may not have enough muscle to clinch the party’s ticket. But politics is an unpredictable trade and nobody should be completely written off.
Anyim:
Former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim says he will contest for presidency in 2023 whether the Peoples Democratic Party will zone it to South East or not.
The former Secretary to the Government of the Federation said:
“Posters of my presidential bid and agitations by groups for me to contest flooded the social media in 2020 and I disassociated myself from such calls.
“I felt that it was too early for such a declaration, to enable the present administration to concentrate on governance.
“Such calls resurfaced in the early part of 2021 and I chose to be quiet over the issue.
“We currently have less that 18 months to the next elections, and I feel the time is ripe to indicate my interest ”
One thing going for Anyim is the experience he has garnered as a former Senate President and a former SGF and the relationships he has built while occupying these positions.
Ayim stands a very good chance and may get the backing of the former President Jonathan.
Kwankwaso:
A former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has already declared his interest to run.
Mr Kwankwaso, earlier governed Kano State between 1999 and 2003, before he returned for his second term from 2011 to 2015.
The 64-year-old also served as the senator representing Kano Central between 2015 and 2019.
He has gathered enough money and connections but like Turaki, he has some yoke hanging on his neck. He is facing investigations by EFCC over a 2015 petition by Concerned Kano State Workers and Pensioners, who alleged that he violated the Kano State Pension and Gratuity Law of 2007 in the management of pension remittances amounting to about N10 billion contributed between 2011 and 2015.
This may scuttle his chances.
Sam Ohuabunwa:
Ohuabunwa, immediate past President of the Nigerian Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Sam Ohuabunwa, is the latest entrant into the race.
At a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Ohuabunwa who lamented worsening socio-economic and political conditions in the country berated political elites for paying attention to wealth accumulation at the expense of the people they sought to govern.
He said the need for a new Nigeria was what propelled his entrance. Having not held any known political appointment, Ohuabunwa’s reach and connections may not be as wide and potent as others. But this is politics where anything goes.
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