By Uduak Johnson
Round one of the 2023 general election is over, and as the politicians are rounding off with celebrating their victories and mourning their losses, it is an appropriate time to review preparations for the main battle ahead, the big one, which is presidential elections. Many nations, individuals and bodies are interested in who takes over the mantle from President Muhammadu Buhari come May 29, 2023, and for good reasons too. Nigeria is the biggest black nation in the world and also the most populous African nation.
With the conclusion of the party primaries about a fortnight ago, the presidential candidates of the major political parties have emerged. For the All Progressives Congress (APC), the former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, emerged as candidate after a fierce election which saw the vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, and other big wigs contesting against him. In the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a former vice president and serial presidential candidate, successfully emerged as the candidate of the party. Other parties also conducted their primaries and have their candidates. Interestingly, while former Anambra governor, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party is daily amassing supporters, the permutations do not see him being a close contender for the two big parties —APC and PDP.
However, with the emergence of candidates, the issue of their running mates now came to the fore. According to the laws guiding the elections, the candidates are to present their running mates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by Friday, June 17. Tinubu picked Kabiru Masari who was Welfare Secretary of the APC under Oshiomhole, as his placeholder running mate while Atiku has settled for Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to be his own substantive running mate. While Nigerians await who the APC eventually picks as running mate, the choice of Atiku and PDP is already causing bad blood and dissent among members of the party as well as the south region.
At the moment, there are criticisms that Okowa does not wield enough influence and is not well-loved across Delta State. Earlier, it was rumoured that Atiku had picked Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike as his running mate. Given that he had bolstered himself at the PDP primary and even emerged second place, he merited to be the winner’s running mate. But certain qualities about the man might have been in the way, and there were fears he might not be loyal to his principal. While Wike might have been desirable for his ability to bring Rivers’ purse to the campaign and also a bait to secure votes from the South-South region, some flaws might have ruled him out.
But Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel, who was initially on a list penciled down to be Atiku’s running mate, could have been a better choice than the present situation. Emmanuel, who also competed in the PDP presidential primaries after a group, Brekete Family Radio, bought the form for him, is a performer. It was for the reason of performance that the Abuja-based radio station bought the form. Emmanuel has performed credibly well in Akwa Ibom. In terms of infrastructure like roads, hospitals, schools, he has done it all. Among many records, he made history as the first governor to bequeath an airline to a state, that is Ibom Air, which has become the darling of Nigerian skies.
He is a transformational figure, with the charms of personal charisma. He has been known to have been a bridge builder, a man of his words, who knows how to relate with the streets and the elites, the corporate world and the politician. He has shown an abiding loyalty to the party. As an innovator who has developed ideas like the coconut factory, he has added a 21st century temperament and mindset to the ticket. It is a huge loss Atiku lost an opportunity to showcase a class act, a first class intellect and a man of deep Christian faith who turns every good act as a form of evangelism of good government.
Already, the selection of Okowa as Atiku’s running mate has rumbled the southern regions. Just days after the announcement, the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) rejected the move in a statement signed by leaders of four groups — Chief Edwin Clark, for the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF); Chief Ayo Adebanjo, leader of Afenifere, Dr. Dru Bitrus, the President-General, Middle Belt Forum and Prof. George Obiozor, the President-General, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide.
This bile against Okowa is understandable, as he is the Chairman of South-South Governors Forum, which had hitherto planned to zone the presidency to the South. However, from the PDP primaries result, it seemed Okowa did not even try enough to ensure southern candidates mustered enough votes via Delta State delegates. There are fears this present revolt against him might likely cost the PDP the presidency. Just on Monday, former minister and PDP stakeholder, Elder Godsday Orubebe, wrote to the National Chairman of the party, Senator Iyorchai Ayu, tendering his resignation from the party. Also, a former commissioner in Edo State, Kassim Afegbua, has also dumped the PDP. Their supporters are set to follow them out of the party. Orubebe, in particular, commended ‘Wike for his efforts and gallantry at the primaries’, in his letter, without any mention of Okowa who has been selected as running mate. That speaks volumes.
Frankly, Governor Emmanuel should be a worthwhile consideration if the PDP is serious about carrying people of the south along, mending its reputation and having a better chance at winning the presidency. Emmanuel has the kind of temperament that would be vital as a vice president and he comes across as a bridge builder. These are important qualities which would not only boost the Atiku campaign but also sustain the presidency should Atiku eventually become president.
But is there any way to remedy this quagmire of the PDP running mate? Well, the ball is on the court of the Atiku campaign to consider. According to INEC, candidates have 30 days to affirm the choice of their running mates. There is not enough time to be sluggish about rethinking and acting to win. Governor Emmanuel is the balm PDP needs as running mate now.
Johnson writes from Uyo