This is the first time that aspirants are coming together. It is a tough challenge and people think it will not work. We assure Nigerians that we’re determined
The 2022 Electoral Act has stipulated three modes for political parties to select their candidates for elections. They are Direct primary, Indirect Primary and Consensus arrangement. The Consensus arrangement, which was used by the ruling All Progressives Congress at its last convention in electing the members of its National Working Committee, came under wide criticism as many of those opposed to it said it was undemocratic.
Surprisingly, prominent Peoples Democratic Party presidential aspirants, including former Senate President. Senator Bukola Saraki; Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State ; the former Managing Director of FSB International Bank, Mohammed Hayatudeen and Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, have embarked on the process of achieving a consensus arrangement in picking the presidential candidate of the party.
But despite the enormous energy put into the project, their quest for a consensus candidate for the PDP, ahead of party’s Presidential primaries, is looking more like a fruitless mission.
The proponents of the consensus arrangements, Saraki, Hayatudeen, Tambuwal and Mohammed, have been criss-crossing the length and breadth of the country to sell the idea of consensus to the Presidential aspirants and the PDP Governors but former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Dele Momodu and Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, are opposed to the consensus and are insisting that all aspirants must face the party’s delegates in a primary election which may be indirect.
Just last Friday, the Northern Elders Forum, NEF announced that Saraki and Bala Mohammed are the two consensus candidates for the north.
According to Professor Ango Abdullahi, the Chairman of the Northern Elders Forum who announced the decision in Minna, he said the two – Saraki and Mohammed were chosen after a painstaking assessment.
“It is hereby resolved that Gov. Bala Mohammed from the North East and former Senate President Senator Bukola Saraki from the North Central be presented as the Northern Consensus Candidates for the moment”, Abdullahi said.
He urged the aspirants to work together to make allowance for further consultation to foster understanding among themselves, and the PDP community to ensure a rancor –free primaries in which all eligible candidates would be free to exercise their right.
During a visit to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State, Saraki said that presidential aspirants under the party are willing and ready to put aside their personal interests and accept the emergence of a consensus candidate.
He said the aspirants had been consulting in the spirit of national interest, to ensure that the PDP emerges victorious in the 2023 general election.
He said, “We’ve had a good discussion with Ikpeazu, as a key stakeholder in our party and a leader of our party.
As you are aware, four of us who are aspirants have been going round consulting with stakeholders to discuss a consensus candidate in the interest of our party and the country.
“And the four of us have agreed to support the consensus arrangement and ensure that we unite to position the PDP for victory in the 2023 general election because Nigerians are going through hardship.
“Insecurity is much. Just a few days ago, some people lost their lives. This is one of the reasons why we’ve decided to unite. The lives of Nigerians are more important than individual ambitions.”
Saraki also said that they were in Abia to seek support from the Governor Ikpeazu and to ensure that PDP wins in the forthcoming election.
“This is the first time that aspirants are coming together. It is a tough challenge and people think it will not work. We assure Nigerians that we’re determined,” he said.
The former Senate President added that he and other aspirants are driven by determination to turn Nigeria around and if accepting consensus is the sacrifice they have to make to achieve that, they are ready.
“We’re motivated to hear leaders like Ikpeazu urging us to go ahead. After here, we’re going to meet the Governor of Enugu State and after that, we must have concluded our visit to18 Governors of the PDP, who all along have shown their commitment to this arrangement”, he stated.
Governor Ikpeazu expressed joy that his hope in the emergence of a new Nigeria was rekindled by the visit.
He described the initiative, led by the presidential aspirants, as quite commendable, altruistic and borne out of their desire to form an alliance that would rescue Nigeria beyond the respective selfish interest of anyone.
He said, “I want to say that you have my commitment and cooperation, as you move on. And I will do my little bit to ensure that all of us come together. I want to encourage all the aspirants, wherever they are coming from, to come together and realise that someone needs to be alive to be selfish.
“Before you become a selfish person, make sure you’re alive, otherwise a dead man can’t be selfish. The survival of our country and the interest of the poor masses should come before personal agenda.
“I’m happy that we have leaders who have decided to put Nigeria first. I’m for it and I will support it and make sure that we present a common front or at least minimize misunderstanding and altercation before and during our primaries.
“Only one person will be president. Let the president who is ready to serve Nigeria emerge, not the one that will serve himself.”
The proponents of the consensus arrangement have also met with Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
Speaking after the meeting, Wike said their interest was to ensure the consolidation of unity in the party. He said they were developing a formidable strategy that would enable the PDP coast to victory in the 2023 presidential election. Atiku was, however, absent from the meeting. The pro-consensus presidential aspirants had earlier met with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State on the issue.
During the meeting with Makinde, the governor said the party would work to ensure the success of a consensus candidate arrangement for the PDP.
Also speaking during the meeting, Saraki said, “Of course, we all have the desire to become president, but we have decided in our meeting that we are ready to subject ourselves to a consensus arrangement. It is not just one part of the country, but for the PDP as a party.
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