Considering the signs emanating from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the emergence of Governor Nyesom Wike as Atiku`s running mate is almost certain, and so also are the risks that may be associated with such a decision.
However, how many people are looking at these risks? It is not clear if any thought have been given to this risks or what considerations may have been made by those on whose shoulders this decision rests.
There are those who think that Governor Wike has legitimate claim to run with Atiku. Those who hold this position support their position basing on what the River State governor have contributed to the PDP, especially since the party has been in the opposition.
Therefore, they think it is payback time for the fiery outspoken governor and party chieftain, who have sustained the party financial during this period.
There are also some political watchers, who though, without contesting the claim of the level of support that Governor Wike has given to the party during this trial period, but they still think that PDP must apply caution in the choice of the governor as the party`s choice of running mate for Atiku.
Those who hold this view are quick to draw attention to what they refer to as “the risk associated with Wike”.
While there is no doubt that virtually every available option on the table for a running mate for Atiku have both merits and demerits, there is however, no doubt that the fact that Governor Wike as running mate carries some risk for the party is certainly not a false narrative.
True, the River State governor had a strong showing during the PDP presidential primary at Abuja, where he almost beat even the current flag bearer of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who only had a window of victory when he merged forces with the governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal.
Governor Wike eventually came second behind Atiku, and this very strong outing has come to count for him as a plus in the consideration for the PDP running mate for the flag bearer, Atiku.
This narrative is already in play in the run up to the announcement of Atiku`s running mate, as a party insider who spoke Vanguard commented that “Joe Biden picked Kamala Harris as running mate after he defeated her in the Democratic Party presidential primary in a bid to unite the party.”
This therefore further feeds to the earlier comment by another party chieftain who confirmed that amongst three people shortlisted for the position, Governor Wike is the man with the blessings of most of the party chieftains involved in the selection process.
“The panel initially trimmed the list to three — Nyesom Wike, Ifeanyi Okowa, and Udom Emmanuel. When the names were subjected to further scrutiny and put to vote, 16 out of 19 voted in Wike’s favour. With his track record of loyalty to the party and performance at our just-concluded presidential primaries, most of us felt this is the right thing to do.” The source said.
Nevertheless, the choice of Governor Wike would effectively mean the dumping and abandonment of the South East by the PDP.
Wike may have the money to further support the party going into the campaign for the February 2023 presidential election.
However, he also carries with him the hatred that will further burry the PDP in the South East. Governor Wike is hated in the South East for the role he played in the killing of Igbos in Rivers State by the Nigerian army.
This hatred the Igbos now have for Governor Wike also stems from his explosive and largely considered abusive comments about the Igbo nation and his denial of his ancestral origin as an Igbo man.
Conversely, Governor is not very well liked even in the South-South zone where he hails from. Wike is not in the best of term with sister governors in the zone, including the PDP governors.
So, while the ability of Wike to deliver River State for PDP might be a strong possibility, the same thing cannot be said about other states in the South-South. The choice of Wike as a running mate might in fact cause PDP some states in the South-South zone. It will also dangerously lead to the loss of the entire South-East zone to the Labour Party.
CATCH UP
Friday, June 17th is INEC`s deadline to political parties to submit their flag bearers and their running mates for the February 2023 presidential elections, and all parties are running round the clock to bit this deadline.
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP met on Tuesday to deliberate on the party`s options for the running mate for its presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria`s former Vice President.
Options on the table includes contenders from the South East and South-South geopolitical zones who are strategically positioned to rescue the party from the challenges, which the emergence of Sen Bola Tinubu from the South West zone has thrown up.
Worthy of mention is the disclosure that the former state governors elected on the platform of the PDP have now made a choice from the numerous candidates fronting for the slot.
This was disclosed by the National Chairman of the PDP, Senator Iyiochia Ayu in his opening address on Tuesday at the meeting of the party`s select committee charged with selecting Atiku`s running mate.
“Various organs of the party are well represented in his committee —NWC, Governors Forum, National Assembly, former governors which have put forward their candidate” said Senator Ayu.
Clariform can confirm that the choice of these former PDP governors is from the South East. It is however, not yet clear who the proposed candidate is, but this will be disclosed in a short while.
The PDP National Chairman also assured that the party will beat the Friday deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (IINEC) for parties to submit candidate with running mate.
