Despite the feeling that by zoning its chairmanship position to the North the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be zoned to the South, three bigwigs of the opposition party from the North have indicated interest to be its flagbearer, Governor Seyi Makinde has said.
In recent weeks, politicians from Southern part of the country continued to insist that power must return to their zone when President Muhammadu Buhari leaves office in 2023 regardless of their political party.
Their counterparts in the North are canvassing to retain power, arguing that competency should be the yardstick for choosing whoever will take over from the outgoing administration.
Speaking on Channels Television during an interview on Thursday, the Oyo State helmsman named three bigwigs of his party from the North who he said have made their interest known although they are yet to do so publicly as at press time.
The governor said his party has what it takes to regain the power it lost to the All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2015.
He added that the party’s presidential candidate in 2019, former vice president Atiku Abubakar was still interested in testing his popularity again as well as the Governors of Sokoto and Bauchi.
“The issue right now is that our party — PDP — has eminently qualified personalities that can lead this country successfully,” Mr Makinde said. “Some have indicated interest like former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, like governor Tambuwal, like governor Bala Mohammed.
“They have indicated interest. But the bottom line is when we get to that bridge, we will definitely cross it. What is important at this stage, which I will solicit the support of PDP members and the generality of Nigerians, is please support us to have a successful national convention
“There is no way you can become anything — president, vice-president, even governor — if we don’t have a party. What we want to do first is ensure that we get things right within our party.”
