The PDP primaries have come and gone, and against all permutations especially from APC and their supporters, it went smoothly and democratically with Atiku coming tops. I have always warned that Atiku was the best candidate among all the contestants who has what it takes to win buhari and now, it's obvious that PDP as a party also knew this fact which made majority of the delegates to vote for him.

Now that the primaries are over, the next big challenge that could make or Mar Atiku's chances in the general elections is who he chooses as running mate which forms the fulcrum of this post.

The best person that could be a game changer for Atiku as a running mate is no other than NGOZI OKONJO IWEALA and here are my reasons:

1. Her international connections; today, NOI is probably Nigeria's most influential personality both in diplomatic circles and the international business community. She will easily galvanize the international community on the side of Atiku and her presence will give credibility and decency to Atiku. Also, unknown to many Nigerians, Washington and London to a large extent, influences what happens in our local politics and already, they are fed up with buhari and would certainly throw their weight behind Atiku/IWEALA.

2. Gender; being a woman, lots of Nigerian women, including Aisha Buhari, feminists, Northerners and Southerners would definitely support her since it's the first time since independence when a woman is being giving the opportunity to be a vice president. It would also add a feminine touch to the candidacy of Atiku and would hold more emotional ground to many Nigerians than Osinbajo being a pastor.

3. Nigeria's alarming debt profile; Nigeria was almost grounded by a debilitating debt profile during the Obasanjo era, which was largely an accumulation of the locust years the military looted the country dry while stashing same monies abroad. NOI came on board and was instrumental in negotiating Nigeria's debt cancellation. Unfortunately, buhari has thrown the country back into debt crisis and it seems to be getting worse by the day. Maybe, NOI can still help to bail Nigeria out again!

4. Her Origin; NOI is Igbo from Delta state which is in SD but is married to a man from Abia state in the SE. This singular fact alone means she has one leg in both regions SE/SS, where she is equally very popular and would easily get both regions to vote en bloc for PDP. Some people are saying that Secondus who is PDP chairman is from the SS hence NOI won't be accepted. Now, that ain't constitutional. SE Igbos won't mind such sentiment (in fact they would love it).

5. The Nigerian business community would support her; all the captain's of industry don't look at politics through tribal lens, rather they look at candidates who would make the environment more conducive for them. They would always go with those with better prospects of formulating policies that would grow the economy more than anything else. Now, consider these options, Buhari/Osinbajo and Atiku/Iweala I can bet with a million dollars that not only will these rich and influential people in business support the latter, they would even spend their own money to make sure that Atiku/Iweala wins.

6. Her Ethnicity; unlike some people that have been saying Atiku should pick a SW VP, I always wonder where the wisdom is on such permutation. Atiku would only be shooting himself on the leg if he does that and here is the reason. While SE/SS will certainly give a block vote when Iweala (or any other credible Igbo candidate is used as VP to Atiku, same can't be said of SW. Those who are listening to Tinubu will always vote for Buhari even if Atiku uses Angel Michael or even Adegboye as VP, now this leaves the neutrals, the frustrated, and those who are altruistic and these ones will definitely vote for Atiku/Iweala. So, where is the purported advantage of using a Yoruba VP?? It would even work in the reverse, because if Atiku shuns the SE/SS to pick a Yoruba candidate; two things will happen, there would be unprecedented voter apathy in these two regions because IPOB will cash in on it to make a killing. Secondly, APC will launch a propaganda on how they would hand over to the Igbo after Buhari's term unlike PDP that would not only want to rule for 8 years but also hand over to the Yoruba candidate afterwards, these propaganda although lies as it is would gain ground and many of those who may decide to vote would rather vote for Buhari than Atiku who they feel betrayed them.

7. Voting strength of the ethnicities; a lot has been said on how the SE has just 5 states and has the least regional voting strength etc. However, those that belong to this school of thought are either ignorant or being mischievous. Now, remove Lagos from SW total votes and compare the remaining 5 states with SE 5 states. Lagos as we all know, has as many Igbos as there are Yorubas, so hiding behind Lagos figures to throw such shades is laughable. Also, even if Atiku decides to pick a SW VP, is there any credible person left who has not joined the Tinubu bandwagon or will it be the same Fayose or Kayode who they all love to hate

Good episode

Well said

Ok

To long abeg
Need sum1 to interpret

That NOI as VP will surely give pdp a win, both locally and internationally

Apt. Quite correct.

Lol IPOB never disappoint
A crook and a wreck

They really want nigeria finished quicker than we thought

Which means, the igbo people are now ready to lick hausa fulan's yanch. Inconstitirncy is what is killing you people. Why can't you bring out credible candidates from the south east on your own and vote for him. But now you are going back to the name you are calling yoruba's for supporting buari an hausa fulani president. You can as well see your presidential candidate with bad records in both home and abroad. I'm sure by February, your general song will be APC/INeC have rigged your candidate out when you know for sure that he can't win. If you like go and call Dora akunyili to come and be a running mate with atiku, they will still lose the election to the great PMB.

NOI is done wit nigeria. SE, SS &NC is bonus 4PDP. Odas are available

omokab:
Which means, the igbo people are now ready to lick hausa fulan's yanch. Inconstitirncy is what is killing you people. Why can't you bring out credible candidates from the south east on your own and vote for him. But now you are going back to the name you are calling yoruba's for supporting buari an hausa fulani president. You can as well see your presidential candidate with bad records in both home and abroad. I'm sure by February, your general song will be APC/INeC have rigged your candidate out when you know for sure that he can't win. If you like go and call Dora akunyili to come and be a running mate with atiku, they will still lose the election to the great PMB.

Abeg leave mata for mathayas...we are all one nigeria

Even if Donal Duke should be his running Mate, He Still Can't Defeat Buhari. Buhari is a Monster in the North and South West

BiafraIShere:
The PDP primaries have come and gone, and against all permutations especially from APC and their supporters, it went smoothly and democratically with Atiku coming tops. I have always warned that Atiku was the best candidate among all the contestants who has what it takes to win buhari and now, it's obvious that PDP as a party also knew this fact which made majority of the delegates to vote for him.

Now that the primaries are over, the next big challenge that could make or Mar Atiku's chances in the general elections is who he chooses as running mate which forms the fulcrum of this post.

The best person that could be a game changer for Atiku as a running mate is no other than NGOZI OKONJO IWEALA and here are my reasons:

1. Her international connections; today, NOI is probably Nigeria's most influential personality both in diplomatic circles and the international business community. She will easily galvanize the international community on the side of Atiku and her presence will give credibility and decency to Atiku. Also, unknown to many Nigerians, Washington and London to a large extent, influences what happens in our local politics and already, they are fed up with buhari and would certainly throw their weight behind Atiku/IWEALA.

2. Gender; being a woman, lots of Nigerian women, including Aisha Buhari, feminists, Northerners and Southerners would definitely support her since it's the first time since independence when a woman is being giving the opportunity to be a vice president. It would also add a feminine touch to the candidacy of Atiku and would hold more emotional ground to many Nigerians than Osinbajo being a pastor.

3. Nigeria's alarming debt profile; Nigeria was almost grounded by a debilitating debt profile during the Obasanjo era, which was largely an accumulation of the locust years the military looted the country dry while stashing same monies abroad. NOI came on board and was instrumental in negotiating Nigeria's debt cancellation. Unfortunately, buhari has thrown the country back into debt crisis and it seems to be getting worse by the day. Maybe, NOI can still help to bail Nigeria out again!

4. Her Origin; NOI is Igbo from Delta state which is in SD but is married to a man from Abia state in the SE. This singular fact alone means she has one leg in both regions SE/SS, where she is equally very popular and would easily get both regions to vote en bloc for PDP. Some people are saying that Secondus who is PDP chairman is from the SS hence NOI won't be accepted. Now, that ain't constitutional. SE Igbos won't mind such sentiment (in fact they would love it).

5. The Nigerian business community would support her; all the captain's of industry don't look at politics through tribal lens, rather they look at candidates who would make the environment more conducive for them. They would always go with those with better prospects of formulating policies that would grow the economy more than anything else. Now, consider these options, Buhari/Osinbajo and Atiku/Iweala I can bet with a million dollars that not only will these rich and influential people in business support the latter, they would even spend their own money to make sure that Atiku/Iweala wins.

6. Her Ethnicity; unlike some people that have been saying Atiku should pick a SW VP, I always wonder where the wisdom is on such permutation. Atiku would only be shooting himself on the leg if he does that and here is the reason. While SE/SS will certainly give a block vote when Iweala (or any other credible Igbo candidate is used as VP to Atiku, same can't be said of SW. Those who are listening to Tinubu will always vote for Buhari even if Atiku uses Angel Michael or even Adegboye as VP, now this leaves the neutrals, the frustrated, and those who are altruistic and these ones will definitely vote for Atiku/Iweala. So, where is the purported advantage of using a Yoruba VP?? It would even work in the reverse, because if Atiku shuns the SE/SS to pick a Yoruba candidate; two things will happen, there would be unprecedented voter apathy in these two regions because IPOB will cash in on it to make a killing. Secondly, APC will launch a propaganda on how they would hand over to the Igbo after Buhari's term unlike PDP that would not only want to rule for 8 years but also hand over to the Yoruba candidate afterwards, these propaganda although lies as it is would gain ground and many of those who may decide to vote would rather vote for Buhari than Atiku who they feel betrayed them.

7. Voting strength of the ethnicities; a lot has been said on how the SE has just 5 states and has the least regional voting strength etc. However, those that belong to this school of thought are either ignorant or being mischievous. Now, remove Lagos from SW total votes and compare the remaining 5 states with SE 5 states. Lagos as we all know, has as many Igbos as there are Yorubas, so hiding behind Lagos figures to throw such shades is laughable. Also, even if Atiku decides to pick a SW VP, is there any credible person left who has not joined the Tinubu bandwagon or will it be the same Fayose or Kayode who they all love to hate

Well said, Atiku should pick Okonjo Ngozie as VP, that is the best calculation, Soludo and Peter Obi are alternatives, but Okonjo is the best attachment.

Atiku should negotiate or align with SDP and pick it's Presidential candidate for VP in person of Donald Duke (Trump)

Totally agree!!

A better strategy to clamp votes would be Atiku’s restructuring message!!

Honestly it will be a breath of fresh air to have that woman as the vp. Fuk all these useless male leaders we have

Let him find someone with ideas Aganga

PapaBrowne:
Totally agree!!

A better strategy to clamp south west votes would be Atiku’s restructuring message!!

Atiku's restructuring message is vague, and if you think otherwise, can you share with us what exactly it entails? Is he turning geopolitical zones to federating units? And what's his take on resource control/VAT re-distribution? And state police? Mouthing restructuring as a campaign platitude does not deceive anyone anymore, except those who choose to be deceived.

SW has six states and all is controlled by APC. If you believe Atiku has a chance, no matter how remote, of winning the SW, goodluck to you. All politics is local and you can't make a case that Buhari has marginalized the SW or appropriately that SW is the worst hit by Buhari's incompetence. Asking SW to jettison Buhari/Osinbajo ticket for Atiku/Iweala one is tantamount to asking a man to vote against his own interests. Ask yourself, what is it that Atiku will promise the SW that is currently not obtainable in Buhari presidency or not attainable afterwards?

Two, SS/SE votes will be drastically reduced in 2019. In the past those two zones had returned turn out rates markedly higher than national average. Put another way, politicians have used federal might to write or allocate votes in SS/SE and that won't be obtainable in 2019. Many of the governors are going for second term and will be willing to cut individual deals to stay afloat than sink with Atiku. On aggregate, Atiku will still win the two regions, but don't expect the usual margin that has become synonymous with SS/SE votes.

Atiku will lose the northern muslim block vote. He is simply not conservative enough on many issues to even threaten Buhari hold on that significant constituency.

Summary: it does not matter who Mr. Atiku picks as his running mate from SE, he doesn't have a viable path to presidency.

Why is the Yoruba race scared of igbo vp..

I don't think is a must for yorubas to vote Atiku for president..

Osibanjo is there already..

Why interfering in ipob matter.

Thought they said PDP is ipob..PDP is regional..

Wetin concern Dem with PDP again..

Haba!

Make una allow PDP rest abeg..

Yoruba vice my foot..

Like play una wan betray buhari and Osibanjo..

Una wan reap where una no sow..

We no gree give una PDP Chairman and we no go give una vice..

Go and vote buhari..

Igbo vice is the bae..
Haba..


This guys are really scared of igbo

Olddirtywizard:


Atiku's restructuring message is vague, and if you think otherwise, can you share with us what exactly it entails? Is he turning geopolitical zones to federating units? And what's his take on resource control/VAT re-distribution? And state police? Mouthing restructuring as a campaign platitude does not deceive anyone anymore, except those who choose to be deceived.

SW has six states and all is controlled by APC. If you believe Atiku has a chance, no matter how remote, of winning the SW, goodluck to you. All politics is local and you can't make a case that Buhari has marginalized the SW or appropriately that SW is the worst hit by Buhari's incompetence. Asking SW to jettison Buhari/Osinbajo ticket for Atiku/Iweala one is tantamount to asking a man to vote against his own interests. Ask yourself, what is it that Atiku will promise the SW that is currently not obtainable in Buhari presidency or not attainable afterwards?

Two, SS/SE votes will be drastically reduced in 2019. In the past those two zones had returned turn out rates markedly higher than national average. Put another way, politicians have used federal might to write or allocate votes in SS/SE and that won't be obtainable in 2019. Many of the governors are going for second term and will be willing to cut individual deals to stay afloat than sink with Atiku. On aggregate, Atiku will still win the two regions, but don't expect the usual margin that has become synonymous with SS/SE votes.

Atiku will lose the northern muslim block vote. He is simply not conservative enough on many issues to even threaten Buhari hold on that significant constituency.

Summary: it does not matter who Mr. Atiku picks as his running mate from SE, he doesn't have a viable path to presidency.

Is not a must ..that west should vote PDP ..we don't need dia vote..or dia vice

Abeg make una face buhari and Osibanjo..
Haha..
PDP made it clear from chairmanship..dey don't want anything from west..

We have already assume without conceding west is pro buhari..
Abeg..make una dey una lane with Apc..

Which Kain wahala be this..

ificatchmodeh:
Why is the Yoruba race scared of igbo vp..

I don't think is a must for yorubas to vote Atiku for president..

Osibanjo is there already..

Why interfering in ipob matter.

Thought they said PDP is ipob..PDP is regional..

Wetin concern Dem with PDP again..

Haba!

Make una allow PDP rest abeg..

Yoruba vice my foot..

Like play una wan betray buhari and Osibanjo..

Una wan reap where una no sow..

We no gree give una PDP Chairman and we no go give una vice..

Go and vote buhari..

Igbo vice is the bae..
Haba..


This guys are really scared of igbo

PDP is not an Igbo party o. Don't turn it to APGA o. Anyway I am only going to keep my shut on an Igbo man who have not openly spoken with hatred against other tribes. Your politicians must learn to play politics of respect.

I've already marked Peter Obi. He is not going anywhere. He will forever remain a local champion
If Atiku picks him up he will lose.

ificatchmodeh:


Is not a must ..that west should vote PDP ..we don't need dia vote..or dia vice

Abeg make una face buhari and Osibanjo..
Haha..
PDP made it clear from chairmanship..dey don't want anything from west..

We have already assume without conceding west is pro buhari..
Abeg..make una dey una lane with Apc..

Which Kain wahala be this..

Politics is a game of numbers and interests, and in our system, it is winner takes all. Good luck in 2031.

luvmijeje:


PDP is not an Igbo party o. Don't turn it to APGA o. Anyway I am only going to keep my shut on an Igbo man who have not openly spoken with hatred against other tribes. Your politicians must learn to play politics of respect.

I've already marked Peter Obi. He is not going anywhere. He will forever remain a local champion
If Atiku picks him up he will lose.

na you wan make am lose..
clowns.

am waiting for your propaganda..

go and vote your dullard and the midget pastor..

una say pdp na ipob..
una say pdp dey sponsor ipob
una say pdp na regional party.
una say atiku na thief
una say dullard go floor atiku anytime..
una say pdp na wike personal property.
una say buhari na best thing after oduduwa..


now e don dey clear you say.. all na mouth.

na only mouth una get..
check una voting pattern..
yet una make loudest noise..

now na una come dey beg for president for the regional party.
una cunny mouth don the twist as usual.

Suddenly pdp don turn national party..
atiku don become next thing after the una oduduwa..
atiku don don saint..

guy we wait your propaganda on peter obi..
e go fall like cards for your eyes..

igbo vice o sure die.. na real sure sure bet..

buhari ned your vote..
Osibanjo need your vote..

shebi igbo no sabi play politics..
una be most political correct tribe..
Sophistication started and ended with una..

see as una dey disgrace unaself for public forum..
desperation for common vice president..other Nigerians dey watch una..
una gist dey everywhere for nigeria..

now you're ready to sellout Osibanjo because unadon see the tide don change..
haba!

guy i wait you and your propaganda on obi..or any igbo candidate..

just know say plus south-west. minus south-west..
atiku is your next president with an igbo vice..
Ben Obi.

so start digging for ills about him..while begging for vice..

shame no catch una..

afons.

ificatchmodeh:



na you wan make am lose..
clowns.

am waiting for your propaganda..

go and vote your dullard and the midget pastor..

una say pdp na ipob..
una say pdp dey sponsor ipob
una say pdp na regional party.
una say atiku na thief
una say dullard go floor atiku anytime..
una say pdp na wike personal property.
una say buhari na best thing after oduduwa..


now e don dey clear you say.. all na mouth.

na only mouth una get..
check una voting pattern..
yet una make loudest noise..

now na una come dey beg for president for the regional party.
una cunny mouth don the twist as usual.

Suddenly pdp don turn national party..
atiku don become next thing after the una oduduwa..
atiku don don saint..

guy we wait your propaganda on peter obi..
e go fall like cards for your eyes..

igbo vice o sure die.. na real sure sure bet..

buhari ned your vote..
Osibanjo need your vote..

shebi igbo no sabi play politics..
una be most political correct tribe..
Sophistication started and ended with una..

see as una dey disgrace unaself for public forum..
desperation for common vice president..other Nigerians dey watch una..
una gist dey everywhere for nigeria..

now you're ready to sellout Osibanjo because unadon see the tide don change..
haba!

guy i wait you and your propaganda on obi..or any igbo candidate..

just know say plus south-west. minus south-west..
atiku is your next president with an igbo vice..
Ben Obi.

so start digging for ills about him..while begging for vice..

shame no catch una..

afons.

Story teller, you are just starting with your stories. Peter Obi may not need the south-west votes but he will need the northern votes. Every single of his insults against them will be broadcast to them.

Stop una hatred, you all refuse. This will be a lesson to you all.

Let me sound it clear,atiku is of the old block,there for his vp must be from the new block.meaning if the vp is zoned to the south east then there is nobody more suited than deputy Senate president. If you bring NIO here even me would make sure I campaign for buhari. NIO is not qualified,she is an American citizen, secondly she works for forigen interest such as world Bank and Imf

He isn't picking a SE. His DG of campaign is Yoruba and his VP will come from SW.

It amazes me you same people who chant biafra and demand stay at home will now come and say the VP must come from you area.

SE doesn't even have up to 9 million registered voters and you don't help grow the voting process in your own area thereby handicapping your infleunce.

Be serious.

@ificatchmodeh

You really take this election thing personal, perhaps your life depends on it one way or the other. These politicians are all the same, so don't waste your energy or emotions on them. What guarantee do you even have that many of those who contested for PDP presidential ticket won't be in APC before the election? Can you bet your life on it? After all, many of the top contenders for PDP ticket were in APC less than six months ago. So if you were a Lamido, Bafarawa, Jang or David Mark, why won't you even entertain cutting a deal with APC? Because Atiku is Jesus christ, and Buhari is the devil? Many of these politicians have realized that political parties are just disposable vehicles to advance their interests and once it's becoming increasingly obvious that Atiku ll lose, many will abandon him in droves.

I am just trying to point out one obvious mistake that political pundits seem to be making which is the belief that 2019 election will be decided in SW. Even if Atiku picks a SW VP, he will still lose SW because the interests of major political tendencies in the region will be jeopardized, and such a hypothetical VP candidate will be an orphan in PDP anyway unlike Osibanjo who has a backing of major political establishment. So, offering a VP to SW is meaningless anyway since the region has a sitting VP who has a good working relationship with Buhari and as such might even become president in four years time. Put another way, as far as 2019 election is concern, SW is NOT a swing region, it's pro-Buhari. That this obvious point escapes many analysts continue to surprise me. Anyway, since Atiku is not a political neophyte, he is NOT likely to pick his running mate from SW.

The election will be decided in the North. Electoral strength of SS/SE does not match NE/NW where Mr. Atiku needs to be competitive to stand a chance of defeating Buhari. You don't need to insult anybody, just show by virtue of superior reasoning or analysis how Atiku will win in 2019.

luvmijeje:


Story teller, you are just starting with your stories. Peter Obi may not need the south-west votes but he will need the northern votes. Every single of his insults against them will be broadcast to them.

Stop una hatred, you all refuse. This will be a lesson to you all.

Told you am waiting..

Olddirtywizard:
@ificatchmodeh

You really take this election thing personal, perhaps your life depends on it one way or the other. These politicians are all the same, so don't waste your energy or emotions on them. What guarantee do you even have that many of those who contested for PDP presidential ticket won't be in APC before the election? Can you bet your life on it? After all, many of the top contenders for PDP ticket were in APC less than six months ago. So if you were a Lamido, Bafarawa, Jang or David Mark, why won't you even entertain cutting a deal with APC? Because Atiku is Jesus christ, and Buhari is the devil? Many of these politicians have realized that political parties are just disposable vehicles to advance their interests and once it's becoming increasingly obvious that Atiku ll lose, many will abandon him in droves.

I am just trying to point out one obvious mistake that political pundits seem to be making which is the belief that 2019 election will be decided in SW. Even if Atiku picks a SW VP, he will still lose SW because the interests of major political tendencies in the region will be jeopardized, and such a hypothetical VP candidate will be an orphan in PDP anyway unlike Osibanjo who has a backing of major political establishment. So, offering a VP to SW is meaningless anyway since the region has a sitting VP who has a good working relationship with Buhari and as such might even become president in four years time. Put another way, as far as 2019 election is concern, SW is NOT a swing region, it's pro-Buhari. That this obvious point escapes many analysts continue to surprise me. Anyway, since Atiku is not a political neophyte, he is NOT likely to pick his running mate from SW.

The election will be decided in the North. Electoral strength of SS/SE does not match NE/NW where Mr. Atiku needs to be competitive to stand a chance of defeating Buhari. You don't need to insult anybody, just show by virtue of superior reasoning or analysis how Atiku will win in 2019.

You're right bro.. I understood everything..

Those hypocrites could be nauseating...
Their hatred for the Eastern part of the country is really scary...

Not igbo tho..
Eveytribe has it's own downside. But when a particular tribe feel they're always political correct..ignorantly think they can just get whatever the need at expense of others..even trying to use media to ginger other into hating what the hate.. is really bad.

It's time we let them face reality..

Atiku should consider picking adeleke of osun state

Olddirtywizard:


Politics is a game of numbers and interests, and in our system, it is winner takes all. Good luck in 2031.

So the sw has more numbers tthan the SS/SE combined? What point exactly are you trying to make