7 years ago, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost power to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Although it made a frantic effort to regain control in 2019, it was futile. Can the main opposition party bounce back in 2023?
Seventeen aspirants picked the presidential nomination forms. The PDP Presidential Screening Committee, led by Gen. David Mark, screened out two of the 17 aspirants. The panel was silent about the names of the affected persons.
The goal of the screening, according to party sources, was to separate the contenders from pretenders.
Since then, the 15 who survived the hurdle have been traversing the 37 chapters across the country to woo delegates.
Prominent PDP contenders are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel, former Senate President Pius Anyim, banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen and businessman Sam Ohunabunwa.
Also in the race are former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, his Anambra counterpart, Peter Obi, and publisher Dele Momodu.
Since the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) released the guidelines for next year’s polls, PDP has been busy. Party leaders have returned to the drawing board to map out winning strategies.
Apart streamlining the increasing number of presidential aspirants to a more manageable number to avoid a crowded and rancorous race, the party also, for the first time, jettisoned zoning or rotation of Presidency between North and South. Fifteen aspirants from the North and South were cleared for the shadow poll.
However, only a few are considered ‘serious contenders’ among those on the field criss crossing the six geo-political zones, soliciting for votes from delegates ahead of th convention slated for May 28.
The big question is how will almost 4,000 delegates vote at the national convention to elect the presidential flagbearer? Money, personality, ethnicity, religion, structure and strategy will play great roles.
Via The Nation
