By Emegwoako C. Paschal
Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has stated that the 2023 general election will be a choice between those willing to lead change from the start and those determined to continue the current disaster caused by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Atiku stated this yesterday in Abuja, as he made a last-minute push to reconcile disgruntled party members.
The PDP presidential candidate met with members of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) and was set to meet with northeast stakeholders this week.
However, five of the party’s rebellious governors, led by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, met in Enugu yesterday to strategize and consider their options.
In a related development, Akwa Ibom State Governor and Chairman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Council, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, stated that the party would get it right in the 2023 general election because it was the only true party in the country at the time.
Emmanuel, who expressed confidence in the party’s victory at the polls, stated that the PDP possessed an abundance of human resources to win the 2023 election.
Similarly, Senator Yaroe Binos of Adamawa South Senatorial District stated that the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, could not resign until after the presidential election because it would necessitate a new national convention to force him to step down.
However, the Coalition for Good Governance (CGG), a PDP pressure group, has demanded the immediate dismissal of five members of the National Working Committee (NWC) who have recently accused the party of bribery for anti-party activities.
Dr. Evaristus Abang, a leading political economist and PDP chieftain from Cross River State, has also called on the South-South governors to remove zone representatives from the NWC, claiming they have outlived their usefulness.
In a statement issued yesterday (October 2nd), Atiku stated that the next general election would be a contest between those who came prepared to lead and those who sought to maintain the current disastrous reality imposed by the APC.
In his verified Twitter handle, Atiku confirmed meeting members of the BoT and described the outing as a success.
“Earlier today, I had a fruitful meeting with some members of the PDP Board of Trustees led by the Acting Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara,” he wrote.
Ifeanyi Okowa, the party’s vice presidential candidate and Delta State governor, met with BoT members on Saturday and assured them that the crisis in the PDP would be resolved soon.
On October 5, Atiku will meet with the party’s Northeast stakeholders as part of efforts to restore PDP unity before the election. This follows his meeting with stakeholders in Enugu last week.
Last night (Sunday, October 2nd), five governors of the party met in Enugu, including Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde. The meeting’s outcome was unknown at the time of publication.
Meanwhile, speaking about the PDP’s prospects in 2023, Emmanuel stated that the party’s campaign council was inaugurated less than 24 hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) lifted the embargo on electioneering activities, making the PDP the first to unveil its machinery for full-fledged campaigns.
Emmanuel insisted that the PDP is a party for everyone, but this time they decided to look at people like us who still have the energy to run around, which means a lot. “I believe we’re getting it right this time.”
“We don’t need more than one resource, which is human beings, because we’re everywhere – all over the country,” Emmanuel added.
The campaign chairman thanked the NWC, BoT, the entire PDP structure, as well as the party’s presidential candidate and running mate, for their trust in him and others.
“Our duty is to campaign to get Nigerians to vote, but victory comes from God,” he said, acknowledging that the final victory was dependent on God’s will and the choice of the people. You only campaign with persuasion, hoping that Nigerians will vote, and then God grants victory.”
