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PDP Governors Take Charge, Set to Decide 2023 Presidential Ticket

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention has come and gone, but its impact on the party's leadership and presidential ambitions is far from over. Governors elected on the platform of the PDP have taken center stage, producing all elected officials at the convention and showcasing their influence. With the likes of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Senate President Bukola Saraki seemingly on notice, it remains to be seen how the party's governors will align their ambitions with the needs of the party.

Key Takeaways:

  • The PDP governors have emerged as the undisputed leaders of the party, having produced all elected officials at the convention.
  • Governors played a crucial role in determining the composition of the new National Working Committee (NWC), with some candidates handpicked by the governors or their associates.
  • The likes of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Debo Ologunagba, Stella Effah-Attoe, and Kamaldeen Ajibade emerged as the party's secretary, publicity secretary, woman leader, and legal adviser, respectively, after polling a uniform 3,426 votes.
  • Unopposed candidates, including Umar Bature and Okechukwu Daniel, emerged as the party's organizing secretary and auditor, respectively.
  • The PDP governors have taken a decisive stance, neutralizing the influence of other party stakeholders, including the likes of Atiku Abubakar and Bukola Saraki.
  • The convention saw a unified voting pattern, with delegates voting for consensus candidates handpicked by the governors or their associates.
  • Atiku Abubakar, Bukola Saraki, and Sule Lamido were seen trying to drum up support for Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who vied for the Deputy National Chairman (South) position against PDP governors' choice Taofeek Arapaja.
  • Candidates endorsed by the governors, such as Umar Damagum, polled significant votes, while others, like Maryam Ina Ciroma, received fewer votes.
  • Governors' preference for their own candidates, as seen in the emergence of Senator James Manager, indicates a shift in power dynamics within the party.

Statistics:

  • Taofeek Arapaja polled 2,004 votes to beat Olagunsoye Oyinlola, who garnered 705 votes, in the Deputy National Chairman (South) election.
  • Umar Damagum secured 2,222 votes, while Maryam Ina Ciroma received 365 votes, in the Deputy National Chairman (North) election.
  • Senator James Manager secured 3,426 votes to emerge as the party's secretary.
  • Debo Ologunagba, Stella Effah-Attoe, and Kamaldeen Ajibade also secured 3,426 votes each to emerge as the party's publicity secretary, woman leader, and legal adviser, respectively.

Sources:

  • Vanguard News Nigeria, "PDP Governors Take Charge, Set to Decide 2023 Presidential Ticket"
  • Vanguard News Nigeria, "PDP Convention: The aftermath"

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