Good students of politics would know that, ideally, democratic politics are basically combative, among its contenders. Therefore, as Nigeria tilts towards another general elections in two years’ time, political gladiators are back steadily in the ring, aligning and realigning for various elective offices, and appointments.
Since the Supreme court Judgement in favour of the Makarfi led faction of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, activities,particularly in this number one opposition party, has heightened, in preparations for a national convention that will fine tune the quest for the reclaiming of power from the ruling All progressives congress, APC. Part of the major restructuring is the selection of its presidential flag-bearer for 2019.
Although, seven names are presently being flaunted for the exalted office, two names stand out, going by what Global Excellence magazine’s sources called ‘the PDP joker’; they are former Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido and former Cross River State governor, Mr.Donald Duke.
Others on the list are the party’s chairman, Ahmed Makarfi, David Mark, Peter Obi, Ayo Fayose, all former governors except Mark who is the immediate past senate president. Then Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president who seems to be the biggest fish but is not getting the needed support from political power brokers, according to insiders.
Global Excellence magazine sources said that the PDP may fly the Lamido/Duke ticket as its last joker because of the general feeling that both of them have been around for the top job for a long time and also command sizeable respects among Nigerians of diverse tribes. Lamido particularly has been unlucky in his quest for the Presidency as his ambition has always been common knowledge. Although, a school of thought believes that Lamido’s ambition may hit the rocks considering alleged corruption cases against him and his son which is ongoing, political analysts are insisting that ‘that is a bridge the former governor and his party will cross when they get there’.
For Donald Duke, who Global Excellence magazine gathered, will be paired with him as vice, though the former Cross River State governor has always said he was either for the presidency or nothing, sources say he is the right choice if the PDP silent game works out as being planned.
Outside the PDP plan, sources also said that former President Olusegun Obasanjo is working on the possibility of selling his political sons, Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State and former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso for the 2019 presidency, while Donald Duke, a man he would have preferred for the 2019 race, is said to be his choice for VP too since the North will have the presidency till 2023.
-Akin Sokoya
