2023: Saraki, Tambuwal, Bala Muhammed set to jettison personal presidential ambitions, to support consensus candidate
From Ogundele Olanrewaju
Erstwhile Governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki, Gov. of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed and his Sokoto State counterpart, Aminu Tambuwal, on Tuesday held a closed door meeting over with Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo state.
National Daily news reports that the meeting, held at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, was part of efforts towards a consensus Presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ahead of the 2023 election.
Briefing journalists, at the end of the meeting, Saraki, a former Senate President, said he and other chieftains of PDP were in Ibadan to meet Gov Makinde, a key stakeholder of the party, to brief him the whole concept and idea of the consensus arrangement they were trying to put together.
“We have looked at our country today, hardship that our people are going through, issue of insecurity and it is clear that only our party, PDP, that can provide brighter future for the country.
“But in doing that, we ourselves, as a party must be ready for Government in 2023, by uniting ourselves, by being focused.
“It is not about individual interest but it is Nigerians interest that matters.
“We have decided on our meetings that we are ready to subject ourselves to concensus arrangement.” Saraki stated.
The former Senate President further clarified that the consensus arrangement wasn’t just for one part of the country “but a consensus arrangement for the PDP as a party.
“Even, whoever wins the ticket can not address or fix the country alone, he will need the support of everybody, so that’s the reason we are here.”
On his part, Gov Makinde also affirmed that the meeting held behind closed door was on the consensus arrangement they were trying to put together.
“We believe we can do it, also believe that Nigerians would take PDP serious.
He promised to work hand in hand with with the PDP chieftains and other stakeholders in ensuring that the party succeed.
