Makinde jostled for 2027 Presidency as Pro-Wike PDP faction intensifies search for running mate
Pro-Wike faction of the People’s Democratic Party has identified Seyi Makinde as own “choice” candidate for the next presidential election.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has been identified as a capable candidate, due to his tenacity and developmental vision, to lead the Party to victory in 2027 and efforts are put in place and accelerated to pick his running mate from the North.
This move is staged to further frustrate and diminish Nigerian former vice president Atiku Abubakar’s chance of clinching the presidential ticket of the party come 2027. We can recall that Atiku has already lost two times contesting for the presidency seat−2019 and 2023.
Age and greed are cited as major factors militating against the chance of Atiku, who has been at loggerhead with immediate-past Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike since the latter lost the PDP’s presidential primary election to the former in 2022, becoming the Party’s presidential candidate in 2027. Makinde Jostled For 2027 Presidency
Several reports have indicated that the move to edge the former Vice President out of the running, in favour of Makinde, was orchestrated by top members of the Party who are said to be loyal to the FCT Minister.
Seyi Makinde, who is also from the Southwest as President Bola Tinubu, has been thrown weight behind to battle and electorally wrestle power from Tinubu who is believed to seek reelection.
The Pro-Wike faction of the PDP is comprised of the top executives and most members of the National Working Committee of the Party.
Atiku’s fall from grace started when he was in the business of protection the former National Chairman of the Party Iyorcha Ayu amidst the “Ayu-Must-Go” campaign−a move, top members of the PDP, yet to forget and still angers them.
Unanimously, the top members of the People’s Democratic Party believed that Atiku’s decision to back Ayu during the campaign served the Party defeats in 2023 presidential election−an election Atiku and the PDP lost to their bitter opposition Party, All Progressives Congress (APC), by more than one million votes.
Meanwhile, Atiku is considered too old and unfit to represent the Party in 2027. Therefore, the Party are looking at a younger, visionary, vibrant and a more sellable candidate like Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State, who obviously, following his developmental drives and initiatives, has the capability and competence needed.
Furthermore, Atiku’s shady moves and actions bereft of honesty and consideration has been cited as the catalyst for this move against him. Makinde Jostled For 2027 Presidency
However, Makinde, being a Christian by religion and a Southerner by ethnicity will appeal to many and make him an attractive option on electioneering market.
According to a source to the PDP, “Every election cycle, you will be given a presidential ticket; you will bungle it. Look at the mess that he caused for us at the 2023 election. What was difficult in going to kneel before the aggrieved five governors (G-5) and winning the election for us?
“Now, it is one of those same men you cried about that is giving you a problem. He could have waited till after the election and deceived Wike as (former President Olusegun) Obasanjo did during his time. Atiku was not serious and sincere about winning that presidency.”
“The same (Iyorchia) Ayu he was protecting told us during the campaign that both Atiku and Tinubu are his friends. But you were there playing politics like a greenhorn.
“Just because of Ayu, you sacrificed five governors. There was no way those five governors would not have changed the story for us. We lost the presidential election by less or a little over one million votes.
“That is why we are seeking a way out. Nobody can just be coming and using the PDP to experiment every four years. For now, we are supporting Seyi Makinde. Let this aspiration go to the South West this time. Makinde has shown capacity. He is a Christian and a Southerner.
“Let us try the other side of the country for a change. Seyi is young and vibrant. He can connect with both the young and old. We only need to get a powerful northern candidate for him, and he is good to go,” an NWC member of the PDP revealed.
Meanwhile, the Pro-Wike faction of the PDP is reported to have embarked on a search for a prominent and influential Northern Politician, with credible personality, to be made Makinde’s running mate.
A move Makinde is yet to declare interests in, but sources close to the Oyo State Governor have stated that the governor is qualified to contest in any election and will look to declare his interest at right time.
Reacting to the development, Atiku team has put out the light by saying the former vice president and his camp are under to pressure to panic.
“Who is threatened? We are talking about how Nigerians will survive the economic problems they are facing, some people about 2027. Is it not too early? We are concerned about the welfare of Nigerians. We are not bothered about their machinations.
“It is only a man who doesn’t have the interest of Nigerians at heart that will be talking about 2027, especially when people are dying every day. We are not ready for that drama,” said, Phrank Saibu, the Special Assistant on Public Communication, to Atiku.
it remains to be seen if the move by Pro-Wike PDP members will see the light of the day.
Makinde Jostled For 2027 Presidency. Makinde Jostled For 2027 Presidency.
