- May keep zoning open
By Madu Onuorah
The dream of former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, of flying the Presidential flag of the party again in 2023 may have run into troubled waters.
Global Upfront Newspapers (GUN) gathered exclusively that the all-powerful PDP Governors’ Forum may have shot their door on him by resolving to go for a fresher and younger person in line with the current political dispensation in the country.
Our source said that the PDP Governors’ Forum position, which was tacitly brought to the fore during the recent caucus meeting of the party at the Akwa Ibom Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, appears to be enjoying the nod of many party leaders at this level of the party hierarchy.
Speaker after speaker at the caucus meeting talked on the importance of the party looking towards a younger more vibrant person for 2023 if PDP is to make any headway in its mission of retrieving power from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Forum of Governors, according to our source, had earlier resolved along that line, that it’s flagbearer in 2023 must be somebody who should have something fresh and who is younger.
GUN learnt that even though the party is yet to take decision on where or which region the Presidential ticket should go, it’s very clear that the people require something fresh and new.
Our source said that the current position being pushed by some diehard anti-Atiku elements and which is enjoying a lot following, is being strengthened by the recent youth revolt in the country through the #EndSARS protests.
“Any political party that fails to factor in the #EndSARS issue will not hope to win elections, given the mood of the country and with youths controlling over 35 per cent of the voting population in previous Nigeria’s Presidential elections,” the source said.
GUN also gathered that the party may consider leaving its Presidential candidacy open while hoping to pick the best, putting other factors including justice, equity and political stability into consideration.
So far the following are considered as front line contenders for the Presidential ticket of the party ahead of 2023 – Peter Obi from the South East, Atiku Abubukar from the North East, Aminu Tambuwal and Rabiu Kwakwaso from the North West and Bukola Saraki from the North Central.
Sources said that there are still some underdogs yet to be identified.