Despite widespread support for former Senate President,
David Mark, for the position of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic
Party, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President, Bukola
Saraki, are still opposed to his emergence.
It was gathered in Abuja, on Sunday, that although most
stakeholders including the PDP-Governors Forum and the Board of Trustees, have
endorsed Mark for the position, the two-party chieftains are said to prefer a
candidate from the North West.
A new twist was also added to the chairmanship race with
news that the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, is soliciting support for
another Benue son, former Senate President, Iyorchia Ayu.
The PUNCH quoting a usually reliable party source on
condition of anonymity for fear of retribution,reports that, “Politics is about
interests either personal or collective.
“It is public knowledge that both Atiku and Saraki, have
Presidential ambitions. A David Mark emerging as National Chairman is likely to
alter their calculations.
“For Atiku, Mark is seen as too strong willed and will be
uncompromising. For Saraki, a Mark coming from the same north central zone may
not work in his favour because it will mean the remaining two zones, the North
East and the North West will be the only ones in contention for the
Presidential ticket.
“They had both worked hard to make the Governor Ifeanyi
Ugwuayi-led zoning committee to throw open the chairmanship position in their
recommendations; but it didn’t quite work out.
“What Mark has going for him is apart from his personal
attributes have led the Senate without any major rancour for eight straight
years, he has remained with the party since inception.”
When contacted, Atiku’s Media Adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, said,
“Everybody knows the Waziri Adamawa is a committed democrat and will, as
always, respect the sanctity of the ballot.
“The position was zoned to the north and no individual can
determine who becomes chairman, it will require a consensus among party members
from the zone.
“The former Vice
President as an experienced democrat remains committed ensuring that the party
gets the best person to lead the party to victory.”
Also, the Chief Press Secretary to the Benue State Governor
Nathaniel Ikyur, said, “His Excellency, the Governor of Benue State, is a team
player, he is working with his colleague governors and other party stakeholders
to ensure that the best man for the job gets it.
“He, like all loyal party members wants a national chairman
who can lead the party to victory. If Benue State gets the privilege to provide
this leadership, our party and Nigeria will be the better for it.”
Attempts to get a response from Saraki were futile. Calls to
his Media Adviser, Yusuf Olaniyonu were neither picked nor returned. A response
to a text message sent to him on the subject was still being awaited as at the
time of filing this report.
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