By ‘Dotun Akintomide
As canvassers engage in zero hour horse trading at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt, venue of national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to elect the candidate who will challenge President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential polls next year, it appears Nigerians have been anxiously prepped for the exercise.
The PDP convention has dominated every political conversation in public circles and across social media platforms in the last 24 hours.
4000 delegates from across Nigeria’s 36 states and capital, Abuja will be filing out today’s evening to elect a flag bearer who will give the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Buhari a run for their money and time in the 2019 general elections — Nigeria’s 6th since the return to democracy in 1999.
Voting is expected to last till midnight with results announced tomorrow.
Twitter audience are currently provoking robust conversation by either commenting on activities at the convention and the expected outcome or rooting for their ideal candidates among the surplus 12.
Here’s what some of them said:
Buhari has plunged us into a big mess, we don't need just anybody to take over the affairs of @AsoRock, we need a man mentally sound with track record of competence and doggedness.@bukolasaraki would make a big difference alongside peter obi.@grownigeria2019#PDPConventionPHC pic.twitter.com/JeCyo2ELxO
— Emmanuel Onwuasoeze (@HonEmmanuel7) October 6, 2018
In terms of ground game – Atiku is solid: banners, posters, all that.
In terms of Human Resources – Saraki’s people are everywhere in their various colours of t-shirts so easily identifiable.
Tambuwal though is very much in the air – very much.#PDPConventionPHC
— Demola Olarewaju (@DemolaRewaju) October 6, 2018
Saraki should just win today ni o. #GrowNigeria #PDPConventionPHC
— Adigun🇳🇬 (@adigun_tomilayo) October 6, 2018
This #PDPConventionPHC is going to be a tough one. Most of them just came to mark register. The only ones that stand a chance:
Atiku
Bukola Saraki
Kwakwanso— Wale Adetona (@iSlimfit) October 6, 2018
If PDP decided to be unfortunate not making Kwankwaso the Flag bearer!! OMO na them fuck up #Kwankwaso2019 #PDPConventionPHC pic.twitter.com/waoZA0MRQ3
— Rx Luna (@Murtalasuraj) October 5, 2018
#Atiku is the only candidate that can shake APC and beat Buhari in 2019. Every other Pdp candidate is a walk over for Buhari. Atiku is the only candidate that can get over 25% in every state in Nigeria. Other Pdp candidates would struggle in unknown regions. #PDPConventionPHC
— Matthew Ottah™ (@MatthewOttah) October 5, 2018
#PDPConventionPHC #PDPPresidentialPrimary
Every one of them is far better than the @NGRPresident. Don't let the APC blind guards deceive you that theirs No one better— BEAUtiful 🌚 (@Daknexx) October 6, 2018
@bukolasaraki or @atiku stands a better chance #PDPConventionPHC
— Kachi Zone (@KachiZone) October 6, 2018
2019 Presidency: Who is the best candidate for PDP?#PDPPresidentialPrimary @atiku @RMKwankwaso @bukolasaraki @AWTambuwal
NOTE: Twitter allows for only FOUR options. You can add the name of your preferred candidate if not included. Voting ongoing at https://t.co/BVIo2F5UQp.— Daily Trust (@daily_trust) October 5, 2018
Give the ticket of #PDPConventionPHC & #PDPPresidentialPrimary to
Vote & RT@bukolasaraki @atiku @RMKwankwaso @AWTambuwal @segalink
— M. B ANJORIN (@MBanjorin) October 6, 2018
Pick one: Atiku or Saraki. They are the two most popular candidates.
Any other thing is over the bar, and will lead to friction within the party.#PDPPresidentialPrimary
— Uchenna (@Demoore90210) October 6, 2018
Tweeting via @ Saraki4AsoRock, the senate president has just announced that he would consider Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra state, as his running mate https://t.co/BBZ7NA8frM #PDPPresidentialPrimary #PDPConventionPHC
— TheCable (@thecableng) October 6, 2018
Saraki is all I want. A man explicitly cordinated and calculative with a perfect skill of communication. Very slow to anger as well. I've watched him over time as the SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF SENATE. #PDPConventionPHC
— sugarsandii.. (@sandy_unyime) October 6, 2018
JUST IN- TAMINU TURAKI, SAN…one of the aspirants has stepped down for @bukolasaraki and asked his supporters to back the Senate President @OfficialPDPNig #PDPConventionPHC pic.twitter.com/SVEgB5QWxH
— michael effiong (@mikeffiong) October 6, 2018
In all ramifications, @atiku has proven to be a true leader and a nationalist. He best deserves the @OfficialPDPNig Ticket today.#PDPConventionPHC #PDPPresidentialPrimary
— President 🇳🇬 2043 (@Yusuf_Aymaan) October 6, 2018
I am going to take a nap. Wake me up only when Atiku emerges as PDP’s flag bearer. Thanks. #PDPConventionPHC
— Abdallah Anwar (@abdallahaanwar) October 6, 2018
Saraki spirit trailing. I wonder how powerful some persons spirit are #PDPConventionPHC
— Journalist Hangout #JH (@jhfanz) October 6, 2018
ATIKU ABUBAKAR: has been on this quest for a long time. I believe he was a contestant during the 1993 electioneering campaign, (that's a 25 year old quest for him). Age wise, he's not getting younger and he says he will run for one term, #PDPConventionPHC #PDPPresidentialPrimary
— JESUS Babe (@Jesusbabe4eva) October 6, 2018
