Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal has rejected moves by his colleagues in the PDP to persuade him to drop his presidential ambition.
Governors elected on the platform of the PDP, notably from the South are asking him to accept the party’s vice presidential ticket
Tambuwal who was not in Yenagoa at a gathering attended by 11 PDP State Governors on Monday however emerged Tuesday at another parley in Ghana, apparently sure – footed and determined to pursue his ambition.
Nonetheless, the appearance of the Chairman if the PDP-GF in Ghana has helped to dispel further speculation that strong divergent views may be leading to a split within the fold.
In opting to hold talks in Ghana, Governors of the PDP had hoped to reach a definite understanding on zoning.
But, after two days of serious discussions, it does appear that the road which ought to lead the party to the attainment of a broad – based consensus arrangement is no ast yet in sight.
Standing together, the PDP governors were able to guide their party through the party convention held last year.
Governors of the PDP, from all indications, appear to think that one of them must be the future president of Nigeria.
What this means is that a majority of the PDP governors do not subscribe to the view that former Vice President should aspire.
It is also clear that the former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan whose name has been popping up is not obviously being considered for the top job that he lost in 2015.
The only snag in the way of the PDP at this time is the inability of its Governors to take a common position on who becomes president.
The thinking in PDP circles supports the emergence of new faces in the presidential race.
“We do not want old faces in the race. We want persons who are relatively young. Among our governors we can find such people”, a source revealed
“Nigerians want this to happen. They want younger persons who have the experience, persons who have done well in public office, who love this country greatly, who can take bold decisions and stand by it”, the source added.
The fight over the zoning of the presidency is being fought on a north – south – basis and many in the opposition are praying that their leaders would manage the situation on ground in a manner that the foundation of the party is not rocked.
The Caliphate, given its body language, wants power to reside a little more in the north. Somehow, Tambuwal is becoming the face of that quest.
As events at the meeting proved, both sides, representing two sides of the ongoing debate, are holding tenaciously and stubbornly to preconceived positions.
While the South is aspiring to grab power after its eight – year – stay in the north under Buhari’s rule, northern leaders in the PDP remember that the last time the party however occupied the presidential villa, a Southern president was in the saddle.
Many Nigerians are arguing increasingly against zoning, but are saying that zoning has become a fundamental aspect of the nation’s power sharing arrangement, the practice should continue.
Tambuwal, it was gathered, refused to accept suggestions urging him to take up the position of vice president in the interest of party cohesion..
Reports say the Governor of Akwa Ibom is angling to be president. Not much has been heard of this. How he has managed to keep his ambition under wraps remain a mystery.
With conversations on zoning picking up steam, it is clear that he would be one of the contenders for the PDP’s presidential ticket if power is zoned to the South.
Governors at the meeting, according to sources, were Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Emmanuel Udom (Akwa Ibom), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Samuel Ortom (Benue), Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) and Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa).
The governors reportedly used Diri’s two-year anniversary as a plank to travel to Ghana for a crucial meeting on zoning.
There are strong indications that INEC is planning to release timelines for primaries.