The presidential candidates of the two leading political parties, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are set to unveil the names of their running mates for the forthcoming 2023 presidential election this week, The New Diplomat has learnt.
Atiku was declared the presidential flagbearer of the PDP on May 29 after the conclusion of the primary election which held at the Moshood Abiola stadium, Abuja. Tinubu, on the other hand was elected as the presidential candidate of the APC after a primary which lasted for two days.
With the deadline for political parties to submit the names of their presidential candidates and running mates to the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) fast approaching, it has become imminent for the two leading candidates to choose a running mate that would be acceptable to many Nigerians and better their chances in next year’s presidential election.
In the ruling party’s fold, indications have emerged that Tinubu may unveil his running mate on Wednesday.
It was learnt that some stakeholders in the APC have zoned the position of the Vice-Presidential candidate to the North East region.
According to reports, those that have been pencilled down for the slot are the Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu; a former Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima; the Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and the Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong.
While consultation is believed to be ongoing, feelers in the party suggest Tinubu, a southern Muslim, might settle for a Northern Muslim as his running mate, something that might set his candidacy against voters in the mainly Christian South and Middlebelt of the country.
On Monday, it was reported that some governors and stakeholders in the party are in support of a Vice-Presidential candidate of North-East extraction, while the position of the Senate President would go to the South-East, with North-West to produce the House of Representatives Speaker.
One of Tinubu’s associate and Lagos Vice Chairman (Central) of the APC, Hakeem Bamgbala, said the presidential candidate would unveil his running mate in the next two or three days.
Bamgbala, was also quoted by the Punch to have said, the party had not decided on the issue of a Muslim running mate for Tinubu.
In the PDP, it was learnt that the party may announced its Vice-Presidential candidate on Tuesday.
It was reported that the list of individuals being considered for the Vice-Presidential candidates are Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State; Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State; and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
While the party hasn’t made any decision yet, a party source disclosed that Okowa has a better chance of becoming Atiku’s running mate for the 2023 presidential election amid opposition from certain quarters.
Earlier, The New Diplomat had reported that a Chieftain of the PDP in Delta, Evance Ochuko Ivwurie described Governor Okowa as a treacherous person who cannot be trusted.
“His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar cannot afford to carry (Echis Carinatus – Viper) the most lethal and deadliest of all politicians-snake in his pocket.
“This character is known to be notoriously monstrous, dangerous, contagious and irresponsibly cunning.
“Okowa will polarize and destroy PDP nationally as he has done in Delta State. Under his leadership, PDP in Delta State will never be the same united brotherly party again.” Ivwurie wrote in a Facebook post.
For Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, sources claim some stakeholders in the party are not convinced about the political pull of Udom if chosen as the Vice Presidential candidate of the party. One source said the stakeholders who are opposed to the emergence of Udom argued that he cannot improve the chances of the party in the forthcoming election.
As of Wike, party source claimed some persons are against him because of his perceived prideful nature and ability to tongue-lash and attack whoever is against him. This, according to the source was why many are against Wike despite coming second in the party’s presidential primary election. The Governor of the oil-bearing state is said to have the support of majority of the governors, including those from the South-East and South-South, where he hails from.
While Peter Obi of the Labour Party is said to have settled for a Muslim running mate of Northern extraction, Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People Party is tipped to pick a Southern Christian as co-ticket bearer.
