2023 Presidency: PDP Group advocating Consensus receives Governor Makinde’s approval

A group of presidential aspirants under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), campaigning for the emergence of the party flag bearer through consensus, on Tuesday, received the blessing and endorsement of Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde.

The governor declared the endorsement after holding a private meeting with the group, which includes governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Bala Muhammed (Bauchi) and Muhammed Ayatudeen, led by Ex-Senate President and former Governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki, at the Oyo State Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.

CONSENSUS APPROVAL 

Makinde also expressed readiness to work hand-in-hand with the advocates of consensus to ensure it is successful. He assured that mechanism would be put in place internally to ensure that doubts and confusion about the move are addressed immediately.

He noted that the consensus being canvassed was successfully adopted for the first time at the party’s last convention to bring in a national chairman and could also be used to choose the party’s presidential flag bearer for the 2023 election.

Makinde stated: “We believe we can do it and we also believe that Nigerians will take this party seriouy when they know that we are all working together to give them a President using a process that has everybody’s support and the stakeholders, with no rancour.

“I have also said that internally, we will ensure that people understand what we are trying to do.”

The aspirants said they were on the visit to canvass the support of Makinde, whom they described as a key stakeholder in the party.

Seek his blessings, carry him along, address some of the concerns and ensuring he understood what they were doing, noting that they were ready to forgo their individual ambition and support a consensus candidate in the interest of Nigeria.

SARAKI’S REMARK

Addressing journalists in company of the host governor and other members of the group, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, explained that the consensus being advocated is not for any particular region but for the PDP.

Today, alongside my brothers, Governor Bala Mohammed and Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, I was in Oyo State to meet with Governor @SeyiAMakinde to discuss our plans for consensus-building ahead of our party’s presidential primaries. pic.twitter.com/UdFGUEjyPd

— Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (@bukolasaraki) April 5, 2022

He noted that whoever wins the party ticket cannot address, fix and rebuild the country singlehandedly but would need the support of everybody.

Saraki said “We have looked at the country today, the hardship our people are going through, with the issue of insecurity and it is clear that it is only our party, the PDP, that can provide that brighter future for this country.

“But, in doing that, we, as a party must be ready for government in 2023 and that fact includes uniting ourselves and being focused that it is not about our individual differences, it is the interest of Nigerians that matters.”

He emphasized the mission of the party for Nigeria. “This is not about who gets what, this is about insecurity in this country, how do we get back to those better days? How do we make life better for Nigerians and how can we work as a team?

“That is what we are here for and it is important we emphasise that we are not going around talking about positions, we are here talking about giving hope to Nigerians to see that come 2023, we begin to fix this country,” he asserted.

When asked if the team considers courting those advocating other means of choosing the party flag bearer, the former Senate President said all stakeholders, including all aspirants, would be consulted.

He further expressed optimism that the idea would be accepted by all and save the party from going on to primary elections.

E/Suzan O.