More details are emerging as to how Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is likely to adopt consensus to prune the large number of presidential aspirants wrestling to clinch its ticket for the forthcoming 2023 election.
The New Diplomat reports that as of press time, about 15 aspirants have obtained presidential forms of PDP ahead of the May 28 presidential primary.
Members who had obtained forms for the presidential primary included; former Vice president, Atiku Abubakar; Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state; a United States-based medical doctor, Nwachukwu Anakwenze; media mogul, Dele Momodu; governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike; Investment banker and economist, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen; former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi; governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel; a pharmacist, Sam Ohuabunwa, and former Ekiti Governor, Ayo Fayose.
Others are a former President of the Senate, Abubakar Bukola Saraki; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim and the Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, as well as the only female aspirant in the race, Tareila Diana.
With the large number of presidential aspirants, it was gathered that the PDP is making arrangement to reduce the number to a possible four by encouraging consensus talks.
A source privy to the matter revealed that though the party is engaging in consensus talks, it is not likely to zero in on a single aspirant before the presidential primary.
The source further added that the party is threading carefully and has no plan to impose a candidate on members, but will only encourage consensus talks, in a bid to avoid possible post-primary crisis.
“The party is in support of the move by the four aspirants. It is not to force anybody to step down, but to reduce the number of the aspirants we currently have to three or four before May 29 and from all indications, we are going to adopt indirect primary,” the source was quoted as saying.
Another source privy to the matter said that Saraki, Tambuwal, Mohammed and Hayatu-Deen, have begun work towards producing a consensus choice for the North.
The source also revealed that Obi, Ohuabunwa, Anyim, and Anakwenze, are also in deep talks to present a common candidate that will represent the South-East at the primary.
“Consensus is the main thing. The Chairman, the highly respected Dr. Ayu, is a product of consensus. With consensus, there is less trouble, less feud and what have you! What we are looking at is the possible elimination of about 10 persons at the primary.
“That will not only help us to elect our flag bearer with ease; it will also save the time of party officials, staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and, of course, journalists who will be on the ground to monitor the process.
“The NWC is encouraging consensus but will not force or cajole anyone to quit the race. The decision to contest or step down lies with the aspirants,” the source said.
