A group of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 presidential aspirants seeking consensus candidate says the move is not aimed at thwarting the emergence of presidential candidate from the south.
The aspirants include former President of the Senate, Sen. Bukola Saraki; Gov. Mohammed Bala of Bauchi State; Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and a businessman, Muhammad Hayatu – Deen
Saraki, who spoke on behalf of the aspirants, said the the consensus move was not a northern agenda as it was being speculated in some quarters.
Speaking after they met with Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in Abuja on Tuesday, the former Kwara governor assured that all PDP aspirants from North and South will meet to reach a satisfying decision on the issue.
He explained that “When we started about three weeks ago, most of the aspirants we had then were mainly in the north. We are talking to the aspirants across the country. Now, because more people have come out in the South and we are all going to meet.”
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Saraki continued “All the aspirants are going to meet. We are talking about Nigeria. We are not talking about the northern aspirants or southern aspirants.
“I have good news that already, moves are being made by the aspirants in the South to meet and eventually all we all meet and see one consensus, that consensus is a Nigerian that represents all the groups”
Saraki said the consensus drive would ensure that the opposition party went into next year’s presidential election with a united front.
“So, I just want to be clear about that, and be reassured it is not about just the issue of a northern consensus, not at all it’s a consensus for the PDP and one Nigeria.”
Saraki stressed that the move will also help unite all the aspirants to ensure that they take over the government in 2023.
In his brief remarks, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State said that he believed in justice, equity and fairness in arriving at a consensus candidate