PDP Presidential Aspirants' Quest for Consensus Flagbearer Hits Roadblock

Strategic Insights -

The effort by some presidential aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to reach a consensus on a single flagbearer for the 2023 presidential election has stalled, with several aspirants, including Atiku Abubakar and Dele Momodu, rejecting the idea. The pro-consensus aspirants, led by Bukola Saraki, have been crisscrossing the country to promote the idea, but their efforts have been met with resistance from other aspirants who insist on a democratic primary election. The pro-consensus aspirants have held meetings with several governors, including Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, but their efforts have not yielded significant progress.

Key Takeaways:

  • The quest for a consensus flagbearer is facing stiff resistance from several PDP presidential aspirants, including Atiku Abubakar and Dele Momodu.
  • The pro-consensus aspirants, led by Bukola Saraki, have been crisscrossing the country to promote the idea, but their efforts have been met with skepticism and resistance.
  • At least eight aspirants have purchased the PDP presidential forms, including Atiku Abubakar, Bukola Saraki, Nyesom Wike, Anyim Pius Anyim, Mohammed Hayatudeen, Peter Obi, Udom Emmanuel, and Sam Ohuabunwa.
  • The pro-consensus aspirants have held meetings with several governors, including Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, but their efforts have not yielded significant progress.
  • Dele Momodu has described the push for consensus as a "dangerous kind of desperation" and an "attack on democracy".
  • Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa has questioned the principles governing the choice of a consensus presidential candidate, suggesting that it may be an attempt to shut out particular aspirants.
  • The push for consensus has been linked to the growing clamor for a Nigerian President of Southeast extraction, with some aspirants expressing concerns that the idea may be used to exclude aspirants from other regions.

Statistics:

  • A total of 13 aspirants have purchased the PDP presidential forms, with at least 8 of them expressing opposition to the idea of a consensus flagbearer.
  • The pro-consensus aspirants have held at least 5 meetings with several governors, including Nyesom Wike and Seyi Makinde.
  • The PDP has not yet announced a decision on the mode of its presidential primary election.
  • At least 8 aspirants, including Atiku Abubakar and Bukola Saraki, have expressed support for a democratic primary election.

Sources:

  • "PDP presidential aspirants divided over consensus" (ThisDay, January 2023)
  • "Saraki, other pro-consensus aspirants meet with Makinde, Okowa" (ThisDay, January 2023)
  • "Atiku, Momodu reject consensus idea" (ThisDay, January 2023)
  • "PDP presidential aspirants divided over consensus" (Vanguard, January 2023)
  • "Saraki, other pro-consensus aspirants meet with Makinde, Okowa" (Premium Times, January 2023)