The rumoured 2023 Presidential ambitions of former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, ex- Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and former Jigawa state governor, Sule Lamido may have a bumpy ride with the conclusion of the National convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Abuja over the weekend.
Governors showed their might as they handpicked members of the next National Working Committee, NWC, and other national officers of the party, distorting the political equation of Atiku, Saraki and Lamido. It was learnt that the Governors, did everything possible to drum support for Olagunsoye Oyinlola who vied for the office of the deputy national chairman (South) against Taofeek Arapaja.
Arapaja, a former deputy governor of Oyo state, rode on the support of the PDP governors as entreaties made to Oyinlola to stepped down failed.
Two hours before balloting, Atiku, Saraki and Lamido shrugged off their big men status as they made their way to state pavilions housing delegates, to woo support for Oyinlola. The move, according to findings, was aimed at neutralizing the influence of the governors who have since hijacked the party following the ouster of former chairman, Prince Uche Secondus. But, it turned out an exercise in futility as Arapaja polled a total of 2,004 votes to beat Oyinlola who barely garnered 705 votes.
One striking feature of the voting pattern of delegates was that they all voted uniformly for the consensus candidates handpicked by either the governors or their associates.
Thus, the likes of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Debo Ologunagba, Stella Effah-Attoe and Kamaldeen Ajibade emerged national secretary, national publicity secretary, national woman leader and national legal adviser respectively after polling 3,426 votes each at the convention.
Just Like in 2017, the thirteen PDP governors compiled names of their preferred candidates, all of whom emerged victorious at the convention.
Meanwhile, national chairman-elect of the PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu has taunted the All Progressives Congress, APC, for what he called their inability to conduct successful state congresses let alone a national elective convention.
In his remarks shortly after he was pronounced elected chairman of the party by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, Ayu took the APC to the cleaners, blaming it for the sundry challenges facing the country.
“I believe the other party can never hold a convention because even in states, they cannot hold congresses. They have produced 92 state chairmen for 36 states, how can they hold a successful convention which the PDP has done? We are waiting for them. This is a challenge to them. This is a quit notice for them. PDP is back and is taking back the country to develop it.
“I want to sincerely appreciate the PDP family. Today is simply a thank you address. When we started this party 23 years ago, we never in any way imagined that the journey will get us to this stage, a stage where we ruled for 16 years.
“We went into rough times, but for anybody who bother to see, PDP is back to rescue Nigeria from the terrible mess we have been in in the last six years.
“I want to appreciate all of you who have taken time as delegates, observers, supporters, and members of the media as well as security services who have made this event such a wonderful event.
“Many people imagined that this convention will lead to the break up of the PDP. Those who dream like that are dreaming in wonderland. Their dream was misplaced.
“Those who have lost hope should know that Nigeria is not a divided country. A small group of people decided to divide Nigeria. PDP will come back, unite our people, put them together, North and South, East and West.
“We will move ahead to develop this country. We did it before, we are going to do it again. I want to thank the governors. I want to thank the delegates. I want to thank our supporters and every single person who has made this event such a huge success,” he said.
The Consensus List
1. Iyorchia Ayu- national chairman
2. Umar Iliya Damagum- deputy national chairman (North)
3. Taofeek Arapaja- deputy national chairman (South)
4. Samuel Anyanwu (national secretary)
5. Ahmed Yayari Mohammed (national treasurer)
6. Umar Bature (national organizing secretary)
7. Daniel Woyegikuro (national financial secretary)
8. Stella Effah-Attoe (national woman leader)
9. Mohammed Kadade suleiman (national youth leader)
10. Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade (national legal adviser)
11. Debo Ologunagba (national publicity secretary)
12. Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel (national auditor)
13. Setonji Koshoede (deputy national secretary)
14 Ndubisi Eneh David (deputy national treasurer)
15. Ibrahim Abdullahi (deputy national publicity secretary)
16. Ighoyota Amori (deputy national organizing secretary)
17. Adamu Kamale (deputy national financial secretary)
18. Hajara Yakubu Wanka (deputy national woman leader)
19. Timothy Osadolor (deputy national youth leader)
20. Okechukwu Osuoha (deputy national legal adviser)
