Horse Trading in Port Harcourt As Atiku, Saraki, Battle for Supremacy
Horse Trading in Port Harcourt
As Atiku, Saraki, Battle for
Supremacy
There was intense horse trading for the most part of last
night going into the early hours of today, as the 12
presidential aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) throw mouth-watering baits to delegates from across
the 36 states of the federation and Abuja, who will, today in
Port Harcourt, Rivers State elect the party’s flag bearer in
the 2019 presidential election.
The National Convention of the party, which culminates with
the emergence of a presidential flag bearer, is a major step
in the bid of the party to return to centre stage of
governance in Nigeria, which it lost in 2015 to the All
Progressives Congress (APC),after an unbroken 16-year
hold on power.
There are 12 contenders jostling for a chance to lead lead
the PDP’s charge in the 2019 general elections.
They include former Vice President,Atiku Abubakar,Senate
President Dr.Bukola Saraki and the governors of Gombe and
Sokoto states, Ibrahim Dankwambo and Aminu Tambuwal
respectively. Others are former governors of Jigawa, Kano,
Sokoto, Plateau and Kaduna States,Sule Lamido,Rabiu
Kwankwaso, Attahiru Bafarawa, Jonah Jang and Ahmed
Makarfi. Also in the contest are former Senate President
David Mark among others.
Riding on the heated horse trading going on, Port Harcourt,
last night, came alive with the aspirants moving from door
to door, laying bare their proposals in addition to inviting
delegates to unusual largess.
Initial forecasts by political pundits was a three-horse race,
largely involving Atiku, Saraki and Tambuwal.
Barring any upset, these leading contenders are expected to
make a testy and interesting duel.
The winner of the PDP presidential primary will square up
to APC’s President Muhammad Buhari in the general
electionin February,2019.
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike who is the host
governor has been upbeat in preparations leading to the
convention, even threatening dire consequences against the
party should the event be moved out of his state.
The city centre of Port Harcourt and the major streets were
jammed with traffic as a result of siren-blaring VIP
movement.
The city appeared tensed as the presence of heavily armed
security personnel was noticeable everywhere.
All major hotels in Port Harcourt Metropolis are fully
booked with the influx of delegates and other visitors to the
state on account of the convention while the capital city is
witnessing an increased traffic build up on the eve of the
convention.
An incident involving a tanker laden with diesel at the
Garrison Junction along Aba Road did not help matters as it
created additional traffic situation along the major road.
Government House, Port Harcourt has become a Mecca of
sorts as presidential aspirants throng to the palace to pay
homage to the governor, who has become the Czar of the
party.
Governor Wike welcomed all the delegates of the party to
the state, assuring them of a memorable stay.
Wike said:”The good people of Rivers State are most
delighted and honoured to play host to the distinguished
National Delegates of our great party as we elect our
Presidential flag bearer this weekend and collectively work
towards rescuing our nation from the brink of collapse.
“As we gather for this all-important national convention, I
assure all delegates of our great party of their security
before, during and after the convention.Working with the
security agencies and other stakeholders, we will ensure
that your stay in Port Harcourt is memorable.
“Once again, I welcome all delegates, journalists, observers
and other visitors to Rivers State, the Treasure Base of the
Nation. While you are here, enjoy the peace, love, cuisine,
heritage and hospitality of Rivers State and her people.
“I pray for journey mercies as you return to your respective
destinations. I welcome you.”
In the midst of it all, Senator Mark has said he would not
step down for anybody, while Tambuwal, has alleged a
gang-up against him by other presidential aspirants.
Mark, in a brief statement issued yesterday in Abuja by his
Media Assistant, Mr. Paul Mumeh, denied insinuations by
one of the presidential aspirants that he and two others
have stepped down for the said aspirant.
The statement said: “This is serious business. Those who
have nothing to offer should honourably quit from the race
instead of degenerating to purveyors of fake news and
rumour peddlers.
“Those who are afraid of contest have no business in the
race. I came into the race well prepared after due
consultations with various groups. The positive outcome of
my consultations across the country and the overwhelming
endorsements encouraged me to vie.
“The PDP is a big family. Nobody should insinuate what
does not exist. I’m not aware of any meeting where it was
discussed or agreed that any one should step down for
another. What I’m aware of is that delegates should vote
and let the votes count”.
“Everyone who is an accredited delegate will be free to cast
his vote according to his will. I cannot see how interference
will take place in the process. The others are up against our
candidate because he is the most qualified.”
As Atiku, Saraki, Battle for
Supremacy
There was intense horse trading for the most part of last
night going into the early hours of today, as the 12
presidential aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) throw mouth-watering baits to delegates from across
the 36 states of the federation and Abuja, who will, today in
Port Harcourt, Rivers State elect the party’s flag bearer in
the 2019 presidential election.
The National Convention of the party, which culminates with
the emergence of a presidential flag bearer, is a major step
in the bid of the party to return to centre stage of
governance in Nigeria, which it lost in 2015 to the All
Progressives Congress (APC),after an unbroken 16-year
hold on power.
There are 12 contenders jostling for a chance to lead lead
the PDP’s charge in the 2019 general elections.
They include former Vice President,Atiku Abubakar,Senate
President Dr.Bukola Saraki and the governors of Gombe and
Sokoto states, Ibrahim Dankwambo and Aminu Tambuwal
respectively. Others are former governors of Jigawa, Kano,
Sokoto, Plateau and Kaduna States,Sule Lamido,Rabiu
Kwankwaso, Attahiru Bafarawa, Jonah Jang and Ahmed
Makarfi. Also in the contest are former Senate President
David Mark among others.
Riding on the heated horse trading going on, Port Harcourt,
last night, came alive with the aspirants moving from door
to door, laying bare their proposals in addition to inviting
delegates to unusual largess.
Initial forecasts by political pundits was a three-horse race,
largely involving Atiku, Saraki and Tambuwal.
Barring any upset, these leading contenders are expected to
make a testy and interesting duel.
The winner of the PDP presidential primary will square up
to APC’s President Muhammad Buhari in the general
electionin February,2019.
Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike who is the host
governor has been upbeat in preparations leading to the
convention, even threatening dire consequences against the
party should the event be moved out of his state.
The city centre of Port Harcourt and the major streets were
jammed with traffic as a result of siren-blaring VIP
movement.
The city appeared tensed as the presence of heavily armed
security personnel was noticeable everywhere.
All major hotels in Port Harcourt Metropolis are fully
booked with the influx of delegates and other visitors to the
state on account of the convention while the capital city is
witnessing an increased traffic build up on the eve of the
convention.
An incident involving a tanker laden with diesel at the
Garrison Junction along Aba Road did not help matters as it
created additional traffic situation along the major road.
Government House, Port Harcourt has become a Mecca of
sorts as presidential aspirants throng to the palace to pay
homage to the governor, who has become the Czar of the
party.
Governor Wike welcomed all the delegates of the party to
the state, assuring them of a memorable stay.
Wike said:”The good people of Rivers State are most
delighted and honoured to play host to the distinguished
National Delegates of our great party as we elect our
Presidential flag bearer this weekend and collectively work
towards rescuing our nation from the brink of collapse.
“As we gather for this all-important national convention, I
assure all delegates of our great party of their security
before, during and after the convention.Working with the
security agencies and other stakeholders, we will ensure
that your stay in Port Harcourt is memorable.
“Once again, I welcome all delegates, journalists, observers
and other visitors to Rivers State, the Treasure Base of the
Nation. While you are here, enjoy the peace, love, cuisine,
heritage and hospitality of Rivers State and her people.
“I pray for journey mercies as you return to your respective
destinations. I welcome you.”
In the midst of it all, Senator Mark has said he would not
step down for anybody, while Tambuwal, has alleged a
gang-up against him by other presidential aspirants.
Mark, in a brief statement issued yesterday in Abuja by his
Media Assistant, Mr. Paul Mumeh, denied insinuations by
one of the presidential aspirants that he and two others
have stepped down for the said aspirant.
The statement said: “This is serious business. Those who
have nothing to offer should honourably quit from the race
instead of degenerating to purveyors of fake news and
rumour peddlers.
“Those who are afraid of contest have no business in the
race. I came into the race well prepared after due
consultations with various groups. The positive outcome of
my consultations across the country and the overwhelming
endorsements encouraged me to vie.
“The PDP is a big family. Nobody should insinuate what
does not exist. I’m not aware of any meeting where it was
discussed or agreed that any one should step down for
another. What I’m aware of is that delegates should vote
and let the votes count”.
“Everyone who is an accredited delegate will be free to cast
his vote according to his will. I cannot see how interference
will take place in the process. The others are up against our
candidate because he is the most qualified.”
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