• Southeast Stuck With Atiku, Restructuring

It is not known whether the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would undertake a post-mortem on its outing in the last general elections. But already, the general impression among the chieftains is that it went into the election without a field marshal.

One of the founding fathers of the party confided in The Guardian that what happened to PDP in December 10, 2017, contributed “immeasurably to the unexciting performance” of the party in the last election, especially the presidential contest.

The source, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, explained that the election of Prince Uche Secondus as the national chairman at the revival national convention at the Eagle Square, Abuja, showed how far the former ruling party had degenerated.

Listing the names and pedigrees of former national chairmen of the party from inception, particularly late Dr. Alex Ekwueme and Solomon Lar, the BoT member lamented that the national chairman was selected more out of narrow political considerations of some governors than the strategic interest of the party.

He argued that when compared to the chairmen of the former opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), especially Chief Bisi Akande and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, the PDP chairman presented in carriage and comportment as an aide, rather than the chief executive of a major national political party.

The source asserted that it was a combination of two factors, including need to move the party after a prolonged leadership contest between Senator Ali Modu Sheriff and Senator Ahmed Makarfi’s Caretaker Committee, as well as the urgency to ready the platform for the 2019 presidential election that “forced most stakeholders to swallow the flawed process” that threw up Secondus as national chairman.

Although Secondus was elected national chairman after polling 2, 000 out of 2, 396 votes cast during the elective convention, his emergence was shrouded in intrigues and horse-trading, especially the politics of micro-zoning to the Southwest that preceded the convention.

From the accounts of the PDP BoT member, it could be deduced that the party seems to be enjoying uneasy peace currently. To make matters more challenging, unlike when the party did not have a rallying core in its leadership, the fact that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar contested the 2019 presidential election, has placed him at the pivot of the party’s leadership.

Add to that the perceived split between the national chairman and his state governor, Nyesom Wike, who pulled all the strings, including rallying other state governors to adopt Secondus as consensus choice.

It would be recalled that based on the tardiness of the withdrawal process by some aspirants during the national convention, there were calls on the Makarfi committee to hand over to the BoT.

Prior to his decision to walk out of the convention, one of the aspirants, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, in a statement by his Director of Media and Publicity, Taiwo Akeju, rejected the electoral process, alleging that it was predetermined and compromised through a so-called ‘Unity List’ prepared by Governor Wike and Ayo Fayose.

Adeniran expected to be the beneficiary of the belated consensus arrangement made by some aspirants from Southwest, including former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Bode George; Gbenga Daniel; Rasheed Ladoja and Jimi Agbaje.

The Southwest felt shortchanged by the insistence of the PDP governors on Secondus, despite Fayose’s charge to “losers to take their loss in good faith.”

2023 And Spectre Of Zoning
WITH the recent apex court ruling that refused to upturn President Muhammadu Buhari’s election in favour of PDP and its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the party seems to be walking in the shadows of another zoning controversy.

Some party faithful had observed that the PDP and Atiku would have performed better in Southwest if only the presidential running mate was selected from the zone, not only to atone for the misgivings of the December 9, 2017, elective national convention but also give the stakeholders the currency to canvass for votes.

By 2021, PDP should be going for another national convention. That exercise would most likely give indicators as to how the mind of the party leadership is working concerning zoning of the presidency.

Against the backdrop of insinuations that the party was planning to retain the zoning format that paired Alhaji Atiku Abubakar from Northeast and Mr. Peter Obi from the Southeast on the 2019 Presidential ballot, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said no such plan has been mooted.

He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, our party is yet to discuss the 2023 presidential election, overtly or covertly, at any time whatsoever. If anything, the PDP is currently working with Nigerians on how to win the elections in Kogi and Bayelsa states and will not be distracted by individuals who found themselves operating in the highest offices of the land, but failing in governance.”

The party’s denunciation followed the discovery that certain elements in the ruling party that are opposed to powershift to the South decided to fly the kite that PDP was divided on the issue.

Elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai told The Guardian that while it would be inappropriate for the ruling party to select its candidate from the North after President Buhari, people should not lose sight of the fact that political parties are wont to choose candidates that would help them win an election.

Yakassai contended that circumstances that predisposed the last military administration to ensure that Southwest produced the President in 1999 are no longer obtainable, stressing that being a democratic dispensation, debates and concessions play great roles.

Gauging from the current situation of PDP, the predominant opinion of stakeholders in Southeast is that the Atiku/Obi ticket should be represented.

A former Southeast governor who did not want his name in print said despite the ambivalent posturing of incumbent governors in the zone, Obi remains a better alternative, adding that retaining the Atiku/Obi combination is the safest way to avert the infighting that could divide the party if the presidency was zoned to Southeast.

Already, perhaps in a bid to quash the Atiku/Obi arrangement, some of the second term governors are said to be scheming to serve as running mate to any other presidential candidate from the north.

And this posturing has given the pervading impression that the Southeast was not ready for the 2023 Presidency, even as other stakeholders in the zone believe that the country’s current structure would not enable a Nigerian President from Southeast extraction to exercise authority.

A former Senate President, Adolphous Wabara, has also aligned himself with the sentiment that 2023 was not ample time for Southeast to aspire for the nation’s top job.

Short of admitting that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar reserves the right of first refusal when the considerations for the zoning of PDP’s presidential candidate would come up in 2023, Wabara argued that being ill-prepared, Southeast lacks the basis to engineer negotiations for the Presidency.

He stated: “As a matter of fact, we have been given our permanent place and limits in our country called Nigeria. However, Nd’Igbo believes that a wise patient dog eats the fattest bone because this too shall pass.”

The Strutting North
The odds seem to be stacked in favour of PDP more than the ruling party. Despite the grandstanding by some APC chieftains, especially Governor Nasir el Rufai, there is a growing perception in the north that leaving the Presidency in the zone after President Buhari’s eight years would amount to a third term.

However, some Presidency cabals fault el Rufai in his quest to succeed Buhari, saying that the Northeast should be considered in the spirit of equity and fairness.

Some in the Northeast APC are disposed to having the Presidency zoned to the South, particularly the Southwest. Although the immediate past Governor of Bauchi State, Barrister Mohammed Abubakar, denied that he was being groomed for the Presidency, the immediate past Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, said it would be in the interest of APC to zone the 2023 Presidency to Southwest, adding that former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, would make a good President.

Yet, while the likes of the former SGF and Adamawa State APC organising secretary, Ahmad Lawan, root for zoning to Southwest, some former governors, particularly, Senators Danjuma Goje, Ibrahim Gaidam, and Kashim Shettima, are said to be interested.

Prior to the nomination of the former Vice President as PDP standard-bearer at the Port Harcourt convention, after Senator Makarfi was persuaded to mellow his ambition, former Governors Sule Lamido, and Attahiru Bafarawa, Ibrahim Dankwambo and Governor Aminu Tambuwal, were the other prominent presidential aspirants from the core north.

None of the above politicians, except Alhaji Bafarawa, has disclosed that he would no longer seek elective office.

Although sources said APC plans to delay the selection of its Presidential candidate in 2022 to see how PDP solves its own puzzle, the idea of retaining the Atiku/Obi ticket sounds a plausible option.

That option depends on how far presidential aspirants from Northwest are persuaded to bury their ambitions and the possibility that no other candidate with proven capacity would arise from the northeast to challenge Atiku.

On paper, the calculation favours the Atiku/Obi ticket, but the snag is the insinuation that the Buhari Presidency could prop up a candidate from the Southeast with a view to breaking the zone.

In the event of such a scenario, the challenge would be whether the Southeast could retain the bloc vote for Atiku/Obi or align with the federal might available to the prospective APC flagbearer from the zone.

It would then boil down to a vote between Igbo presidency and restructuring, which the Atiku/Obi option represents. As the variables would keep changing in the next three years, all options, as Americans would say, remain on the table.

https://guardian.ng/politics/2023-concerns-as-pdp-negotiates-another-rocky-bend/amp/?utm_medium=Social&echobox=twitter_post&utm_source=Twitter&__twitter_impression=true

Ok

2023 is still far, most of this guys doing gra gra don't know what tomorrow will bring, they don't even know if they will be alive till then, let's focus on how to eject the clueless Buhari out first, then go for Seyi Makinde/Peter Obi they are the best that can happen to Nigeria, and watch the country move forward

Yes two persons can't come from the same zone but let's see who is most acceptable

Like for Makinde
Share for Peter Obi

2020 will unveil more and more about 2023.

And you know what? Governance will cease to work efficiently. Everything will be geared towards the power tussle in 2023

Let's work for a better 2019/ 2020, 2023 is still far

Happy birthday to Mohammed

Okay

Although sources said APC plans to delay the selection of its Presidential candidate in 2022 to see how PDP solves its own puzzle, the idea of retaining the Atiku/Obi ticket sounds a plausible option.

I still maintain that PDP must never make the mistake of zoning the 2023 ticket till APC zones theirs. APC is the ruling party they should take the first step which will determine how PDP shoots.

If it means postponing the PDP national convention, so be it. But PDP must never choose it candidate before APC does, if they are wise and serious about 2023.

Ok

Now PDP are trying to bring back their lost Glory is too late let hope and see who PDP are bring out in 2023. General election ���

The PDP have their work cut out for them.

The SE have expressed their indifference to getting PDP's ticket, they do not want to touch the thing with a 10 foot pole.

Wike stands the best chance to clinch it with his clout & financial warchest, as PDP would be insane to blow their chances by attempting a tried & failed Atiku/Obichina ticket. Unfortunately they are still bound to lose to an Osibanjo/Tinubu ticket because apart from inheriting PMB's massive support base, incumbency will also play a big role.

If the PDP however decides to jettison the zoning principle (very unlikely) and go North, then my Tambuwal will likely get it with Wike's support. Though he will struggle with getting a national spread. Win-win regardless.

I think the Atiku /Obi ticket will still sell very well in 2023 but that depends largely on who APC will be fielding come 2023, the odds are in favour of Atiku/Obi if Apc end up not fielding a northerner

Georgechris:
I think the Atiku /Obi ticket will still sell very well in 2023 but that depends largely on who APC will be fielding come 2023, the odds are in favour of Atiku/Obi if Apc end up not fielding a northerner

Atiku will be 76 in 2023.

The last two paragraphs made me laugh. On the basis of that calculation, Soludo should be picked by APC otherwise, no other South East son can defeat Obi.

It will shock you on how the South East mind works.

APC trying to pre-empt PDP's plan

But like I said in my thread...
APC should present Osibanjo and PDP should present Obi so that Nigeria will benefit however it turns.

Secondus did well for pdp.

Infact he is a good manager.


All these are APC tactics to know pdp line of action.

Everything is about thought, so the column is just beating about the bush.

Till 2023.

seanfer:


Atiku will be 76 in 2023.

yes but is not a tribal bigot... He is not a man that divides the country with his utterances, he does not play religious and ethnic politics.

Give Gov Bala Mohammed/cheif Osita Chidoka

anochuko01:
Happy birthday to Mohammed

Please where's the party holding? Will he cut cake and will there be jollof rice and chicken?

Sounds like a party facing an existential crisis. Given how shabbily they've treated the East, I think the party deserves every ill lick that comes it's way.

Pdp cant keep treating it's most loyal base with such contempt and expect to prosper. Even the bible frowns at that.

Pdp 2023 ticket must go to the East. Shikena.

MelesZenawi:
Secondus did well for pdp.

Infact he is a good manager.


All these are APC tactics to know pdp line of action.

Everything is about thought, so the column is just beating about the bush.

Till 2023.

He is a light weight politically.

A boy! And why Atiku could cross over and still get a ticket under PDP. That wont happen under a Lar or Alex

Reading

omenka:
Sounds like a party facing an existential crisis. Given how shabbily they've treated the East, I think the party deserves every ill lick that comes it's way.

Pdp cant keep treating it's most loyal base with such contempt and expect to prosper. Even the bible frowns at that.

Pdp 2023 ticket must go to the East. Shikena.

Let APC present Thieefnubuu first, we want to test his popularity with Atiku

Sleevia:
But like I said in my thread...
APC should present Osibanjo and PDP should present Obi so that Nigeria will benefit however it turns.

PDP cant be that foolish

But its possible. same foolishness is playing in Bayelsa presently.

Presenting a political nobody for governorship election.

PDP presenting Obi will be their final burial.

Loooool I pray they present atiku the kind of ass whooping he will chop @ poll

I don't mind an obi/atiku candidature but the reverse scares alot of shit outta my many southerner, i don't want the same Osinbajo treatment meted on Obi as Atiku that I know is just say what we want to hear ,he won't restructure anything once he get there,Yoruba will still vote for an Obi presidency or any one from south with pedigree,but i feel pdp should not show their enemy the strategy now.
Atiku is not different from Tinubu and Tinubu is not going to be different from Babangida's regime.
That is not wat we need now but my problem is the unity of the South,Yoruba don't trust iBos because of they believe that ibos assisted Tafawa balewa become prime minister instead of helping a fellow southerner and also in 1979 election and Ibos don't trust the Yorubas because of the 1966 coup and Awolowo hand in the civil war.
But it baffles me that both sides still will do business together marry eachother but to unite as a common front , Mbanu they will not do so to the growth and freedom of the South from Northern hegemony.

dammyBoxes:
I knew Atiku would be contesting again. All the best to Nigeria. We just a few months from the last election and both Apc and pdp have started scuttling for 2023.

Our political parties are not development oriented but obsessed with elections.

BlackCrainte:


He is a light weight politically.

A boy! And why Atiku could cross over and still get a ticket under PDP. That wont happen under a Lar or Alex

Secondus as at 2019 is a heavy weight and counted gains others couldn't in 2015.

He did well and still doing.

APC sponsored volumny has failed.