No fewer than eight governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) in Kaduna State have agreed to come out with a consensus candidate
for the 2019 election.
One of the aspirants, Dr Ja’afaru Sa’ad, who made this known in an
interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Friday,
described the development as commendable.
Sa’ad, who holds the traditional title of Galadiman Ruwan Zazzau, said
that the idea was for the PDP to form a united front capable of defeating
whoever the ruling APC field as its candidate.
“Eight of us seeking for the party ticket have been urged by our party to
go, discuss among ourselves and come out with a consensus candidate.
“We are all qualified and capable, but as members of the same family we do
not have room for internal crisis usually associated with primary
elections.
“To me, this is a unity of purpose. All we want is victory comes 2019
elections, not only for our party but primarily for the people of Kaduna
State, whom we hope to represent and serve, “he said.
He said that the measure would enable the party channel all its resources,
expertise and energy into ensuring that it put up a good fight and wrestle
power from the APC.
He identified the other aspirants as Malam Isah Ashiru, Mohammed Sani
Bello; Bello Kagarko; Sani Sidi; Jonathan Kish; Ramalan Yero the immediate
past governor of the state; and Shuaibu Mikati.
“Our central goal is to beat the APC and its candidate, as such, the need
for PDP, being a one united family to work together for the interest of
the party and the people of the state.
“Eight of us were at the meeting on Tuesday, except for Ashiru who sent a
representative.
“We embraced the idea with all our heart. We will commence sitting
hopefully this week to bring out one candidate that will beat the APC come
2019 elections,” he assured.
Sa’ad encouraged other states and “even at the national level for the
presidential seat” to take similar step in the selection of candidates for
various offices.
However, Pointblanknews.com gathered from sources within the PDP that
Sa’ad appears to have won the heart of leaders of the party leaders.
Sa’ad, A Wharton Graduate and a Finance/Economic expert is said to be
seriously considered for the Governorship ticket because of his background
and as an untainted politician.
“He is a clean candidate. He has shown himself to be someone with plans
for everyone in Kaduna and we are pleased with what we have seen of him.
Our leaders think he has what it takes to put Kaduna in the rightful
place,” a PDP stalwart from Kaduna state told Pointblanknews.com in Abuja.
According to the PDP chieftain who does not want to be named, “Sa’ad has
no case in the EFCC or anywhere and if our party want someone with no
blemish or scandal, we certainly have found one in Sa’ad.”
Confirming the decision, Malam Ibrahim Wusono, the PDP Secretary in the
state, said that it was a collective agreement of the party executives,
elders and members.
“We have the option of either coming out with a consensus candidate out of
the eight currently vying for the gubernatorial ticket, or conducting an
election if we could not reach a consensus.
“As party executive, we met with members, elders of the party; former Vice
President Namadi Sambo and Mohammed Makarfi among others to decide on the
way forward.
“Our leaders assured us that they do not have a candidate, that their
candidate is the people’s candidate.
“We summoned a meeting on Tuesday July 17 to see the possibility of a
consensus candidate that will be acceptable by members and the people of
Kaduna State; someone who if elected will be a leader of all.
“And if not possible, then we will have to conduct election when the time
comes. But we were happy when the eight aspirants bought the idea and
promised to get back to us very soon.”
Wusono, however, said that if another aspirants emerge after the consensus
candidate has been decided, the party would not deny him the opportunity
to aspire for the governorship ticket.
“We will ask such a person to meet with the consensus candidate and decide
who should carry the flag. If that fails then we will have to conduct an
election,” Wusono added.
NAN reports that Ashiru was a former local government chairman, state
Assembly and two term member of the House of Representatives.
Bello, the Mainan Zazzau is a lecturer and a former commissioner in the
state while Kagarko was also a former commissioner of Education during the
Makarfi administration.
Sidi too is a former commissioner in the state and the immediate past
Director General, National Emergency Management Agency.
Adamu who is from Kaura LGA, is a former Attorney General and Commissioner
for Justice and former House of Assembly Member in the state.