Let us have a look at the frontrunners or top contenders for the presidential ticket of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the contest heats up.
But first, some context.
Seventeen people expressed interest in running for the President of Nigeria in 2023 on that political platform. However, the party’s vetting committee just cleared 15 of the 17 candidates for the ticket contest.
Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Governor Nyesom Wike, Anyim Pius Anyim, Ayo Fayose, Bukola Saraki, Governor Bala Mohammed, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and Governor Emmanuel Udom are among the candidates who have been cleared for the primaries.
Dele Momodu, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, Sam Ohabunwa, Charles Okwudili, Chikwendu Kalu, Cosmos Ndukwe, and Olivia Tariela, the only woman among them, are among the others.
However, based on their efforts to ensure that they emerge as their party’s pick for the presidential ticket, only a couple of these 15 hopefuls would be considered serious competitors for the presidential ticket.
The top three candidates for the party’s presidential ticket are discussed in this piece.
Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Nyesom Wike are their names.
Atiku Abubakar
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is a seasoned politician with decades of experience. It’s no surprise, then, that he’s one of the three frontrunners for the party’s sole presidential ticket, despite a barrage of criticism and resistance from lawmakers and ordinary Nigerians.
Atiku’s candidacy for the PDP is comparable to Bola Tinubu’s for the APC. Because of their age and what many feel is an excessive thirst for wealth and power, both men face fierce criticism from within and without their parties. Both, though, are unyielding in the pursuit of their goals.
Despite the resistance, he remains adamant that he will vote for the party’s ticket.
The major things that Wazirin Adamawa has working for him are his stupendous wealth and his political network across the nation.
Although his political power appears to be dwindling, as seen by the number of people who formerly backed him but have now opted to withdraw their support, the man is using his fortune to forge new political ties and machinery.
Furthermore, his riches and willingness to share them allow him to talk in a language that state party delegates understand and value.
Peter Obi
Peter Obi’s record of public service accomplishments speaks for itself. His performance as governor of Anambra State catapulted him into national prominence, and it now serves as the foundation and focal point for his presidential campaign. Peter Obi has warmed his way into the hearts of Nigerians with his demonstrable mastery of the nitty-gritty of economic principles and how they apply to the administration of our national economy. That has unquestionably been his distinct selling point. It’s no surprise that he’s become one of the most talked-about presidential candidates across the country, regardless of party affiliation. The only other aspirant one can mention in the same breath as Obi in that regard is Bola Tinubu of the APC. But unlike Tinubu, most of the discussions about Obi portray him in a positive light.
The drawback to his desire to govern the country is that the delegates he is ardently attempting to persuade to vote for him in the primary with his economic blueprint and vision only comprehend one language: MONEY! He does not have the financial means to spend like his fellow competitors, and even if he did, he is a prudent man who would not waste resources in this manner.
Nyesom Wike
Another frontrunner for the APC nomination is the governor of Rivers State.
Wike is standing up to be counted, whether you like him or not. He’s making things happen for himself in his trademark contentious and unashamed style. In addition, he has the financial means to make it happen.
His combative demeanor, on the other hand, is his undoing. People are frightened of his attitude and leadership style, which they describe as dictatorial and oppressive.
In the end, it will be a straight fight between Atiku and Obi for the ticket, with the former having a little age advantage over the latter due to his money.
