Presidential aspirants under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the northern part of the country, on Tuesday met with the Abia governor, Okezie Ikpeazu at his Umuobiakwa, Obingwa LGA of Abia State country home with the sole aim of convincing him to adopt their proposal of a consensus candidate for the party in the 2023 presidential primary.
The over one hour meeting at the governor’s house, saw former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwa of Sokoto State and former managing director of FSB International Bank, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen in attendance.
The four presidential candidates of northern extraction told newsmen after their meeting that they discussed extensively on the need for the PDP to present a consensus candidate with Governor Ikpeazu, arguing that it is the strongest way to remove the All Progressives Congress (APC) from coming back to power and stop further bad governance of the nation.
Their spokesperson and former Senate President, Saraki described the APC led federal government as a disaster, saying the APC led federal government has held the people hostage since the past seven years through insecurity, misrule, devastation of the economy etc.
“So, we’re here to talk to our brother governor on the need to adopt a consensus candidate in order to form a formidable front to drive this bad government out and restore the confidence of Nigerians who have been subjected to untold hardship, suffering, poverty, wanton killings etc.
“Just yesterday, the nation witnessed another mass killing in Plateau State where over 135 people were massacred in cold blood. The meeting has been fruitful and we hope that our party will accept the consensus candidate proposal. From here, we’re going to Enugu State to meet with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi”, he said.
On why former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was not in the delegation, Saraki stated that Atiku was aware of their move, pointing out that he was not there because he was fully engaged in another assignment.
Governor Ikpeazu, who responded at event, said he was happy to receive the delegation, pointing out that the move was in line with his vision of having a new Nigeria where the government in power will be for the people and will secure their lives and properties and make the nation great.
Uche Nwosu is a two time Shell Petroleum PLC award winner in the year 2000;
He won the Shell Award on Investigative Journalism and Environmental Cleanliness.
