2023: Niger PDP Endorses Saraki, North-central Zone for President

Laleye Dipo in Minna

Stakeholders in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State have endorsed former Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, and the North-central geo-political zone of the country for the PDP ticket in 2023.

This is just as the leader of the “Advocacy Group” within the party and former national chairman of the PDP has said that the “North-central geo-political zone of the country “is tired of being kingmakers, we want to be the king.”

The endorsement of Senator Saraki for the PDP ticket and the North-central zone to produce the presidential candidate was taken yesterday at the PDP secretariat.

The motion was moved by a former Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Mr. Mohammed Mohammed Alkali, and was seconded by a former Commissioner in Niger State, Mrs. Lami Makama. There was no counter motion.

When the State Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Tanko Beji, put the matter to vote it was overwhelmingly carried.

The implication of the endorsement is that no other aspirant from another zone could be supported by the state for the PDP ticket in 2023.

The leader of the “Advocacy Group” and former National Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Kawu Baraje, had told hundreds of stakeholders made up of members of the State Working Committee, former legislators and political office holders and party local government area chairmen that “it is time for the North-central zone to be the president of the country” after backing other candidates and zones for the position in the past.

Baraje said: “All zonal officers support that North-central should have the president come 2023,” adding that the decision is “irrevocable”.

“We have not seen another candidate from any of the other zones, when we see them we will talk. The only candidate we have seen who is more than qualified is Senator Bukola Saraki,” Baraje told the party faithful.

He, therefore, urged the party leaders to “always speak the truth and speak with one voice” saying that the era when the zone is used to make others president is over.

“They will come to you to vote for their candidates, remember that it is not just any candidate, the ticket is for the North-central zone and the ticket is for Saraki.”

Former Deputy Governor of Niger State, Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu, said the state would support the presidential bid of Senator Saraki but explained that “we are tired of being given the position of junior minister who will go to beg the senior minister before getting things done.”

The State Chairman of the PDP, Mr. Tanko Beji, told his visitors that “the PDP inNiger State is back and very united” promising that his leadership of the party “will lead with the fear of God.

“We will do everything that will bring peace to our party, we will work to reclaim the governorship of the state and the president of Nigeri,” Beji said.

Members of the Advocacy Group include former Kwara State Governor, Senator Shaba Lafiaji; former member of the national assembly. Mr Abdulrahaman Gbadamosi, and former Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Idris Wada, who was absent.