2023: PDP presidential aspirants clash over zoning, consensus

There is growing disquiet in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over what method to adopt in choosing the party’s presidential flag bearer for the 2023 election. Aspirants demanding for zoning of the presidential ticket have clashed with those seeking the adoption of one of the contenders as the consensus candidate. The two groups have intensified consultations during the week, selling their preferred options to the various power blocks and stakeholders.

In the forefront for the consensus option are four aspirants of northern extraction who, apparently, hope to get one of them adopted as the candidate. Aspirants in the consensus group are former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed; and former banker, Alhaji Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

Those demanding the zoning of the ticket are mainly aspirants from the Southeast. They are former Senate President, Pius Anyim; former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi; an Industrialist, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa; and a United States based medical doctor, Nwachukwu Anakwenze.

In various engagements with stakeholders, the consensus group, led by Saraki, has continued to hinge their preference on the need to enthrone unity in the party. However, there has been growing insinuations that the group might be pursuing a Northern agenda, based on the ethnic origin of its members. There was a mild drama when the four-member consensus group paid a visit to the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on Tuesday.

 

Source: The Nation

 

 

Buhari mourns passage of statistician-general

President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a message of condolence to the family, friends and associates of Dr. Simon Harry, the Statistician-General of the Federation, who passed away on Wednesday. Beyond the immediate family and friends, Buhari also expressed his sympathy with the government and people of Plateau State on the loss of an illustrious citizen.

He noted that Dr Harry had exemplary contributions to the evolution of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and developmental planning of the country. The President also paid tribute to the late Statistician-General who he said worked conscientiously with previous heads of the organisation in recent years, providing relevant data to government and making the NBS a point of reference on various issues affecting the country.

He prayed that God will repose his soul and comfort the family in this time of grief.

 

Source: Dailypost