PDP primaries: Obi, Wike snub Saraki-led c’ttee, reject consensus arrangement
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike and the former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi have vowed to resist attempt to foist consensus candidates on them, saying the party should conduct primary elections.
The duo are contesting to be the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential flagbearer ahead of the 2023 general election.
The Informant247 earlier reported that Wike, speaking during a meeting with members of the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party in Abuja on Tuesday, asked why there was no talk of a consensus candidate for the party during the 2019 general elections.
He said he would not agree to any consensus arrangement that is already skewed in the move to choose a candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP ahead of the general election in 2023.
The Governor particularly referred to the Saraki-led committee which has been meeting PDP stakeholders seeking to reach an agreement on a consensus candidate for the party.
He said “When we did our convention in 2018 about ten people contested, there was no consensus.
“In 2019 why didn’t you talk about consensus, the primary was wide open, you know I supported Aminu Tambuwal I have no regrets but when Tambuwal lost I carried the campaign of Atiku on my head and that is what it is supposed to be.
“I told them, (the Saraki-led committee) that what you are coming to tell me is shine-shine bobo, the more you look the less you see. I said I’m not going to buy that one and you know it will not work.
“I believe in consensus-based on equity justice and fairness, but not from people who have conspired, to think that they can bring me in, they cannot bring me in”.
Also speaking on this, Peter Obi said Nigerians were not in need of a consensus candidate but a problem solver who could fix the country.
Obi, who met with some PDP delegates and other officials of the party in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, added that Nigerians were earnestly looking forward to having a true leader capable of making the nation productive and pulling them out of the cesspit of poverty.
He lamented that the country was presently “insecure”, saying ”Nigeria is not unified – unproductive – and it is collapsing”.
Obi said, “The firm duty of a leader is to be a problem solver. Nigerians are looking forward to somebody that can make Nigeria productive and start getting Nigerians to be pulled out of poverty.
”That’s what Nigerians are looking for, not a consensus candidate. So, I want to correct that.
“Even the Northerners; everybody has a problem in Nigeria. Nigeria, as it is today, is insecure, Nigeria is not unified and Nigeria is unproductive.
“It is collapsing. They (Nigerians) are looking for a fixer – somebody who will start creating wealth – not about where is this. Where you come from is important, because some people can say we are looking for equity and justification, which is necessary in a diverse country.
“But most importantly, we want someone who will start creating wealth in Nigeria.
“You need to check my track record. I’m a trader. I have operated in the corporate world. I have been a Governor. That’s the record you need to check. You don’t need to ask me. Just check my trajectory. And I have been everywhere in the world and I believe I can fix Nigeria.
“I maintain that PDP has an array of candidates who are qualified and competent and everything,” the ex-governor boasted.
