The National chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee, Ahmed Makarfi, has said he could still contest the party’s presidential ticket in spite of the return of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to the party.
Speaking in the current edition of The Interview, Makarfi addressed the question about his own interest.
“I have heard the rumour (that I am running), it has been there since 2007… I have thought of it. By the time I leave as caretaker committee chairman on 9th or 10th, there’ll still be ten months to the party primaries. By any law or the party’s guidelines, I’m not excluded,” he said, in spite of speculation that Atiku is gunning for the party’s presidential ticket.
Governor of Ekiti state, Ayo Fayose, has also indicated interest, but Makarfi said Fayose’s declaration of interest in the party’s presidential ticket “is uncalled for and unhealthy” since the party has zoned the ticket to the north.
He also said the PDP was expecting more defections after Atiku’s move from the All Progressives Congress (APC), the ruling party.
“For some strategic reasons, don’t expect a lot of people to move to the PDP now. People are in APC for different reasons. Wait for the time when everybody will be on his own, you will see the influx of people into the PDP,” he said.
Makarfi, who reportedly came close to being the PDP’s presidential nominee in 2006, finally revealed how former President Olusegun Obasanjo schemed him out, even though an internal party assessment had returned him as the most favourable candidate.
…PDP welcomes ex-VP’s return, urges others to do same
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has welcomed the return of the former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, to its fold on Sunday.
Mr. Abubakar took to facebook to announce that he is joining the PDP after resigning from the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, last week.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Dayo Adeyeye, late on Sunday, PDP said ” we are indeed glad that he has realised the unbridled lies/deceit of his former Party, the All Progressive Congress, APC.
“The PDP remains his home; a house he was part of building and which he helped to nurture. We believe his return will add value in the process of rebuilding our Party to greater heights”.
The PDP described Mr. Abubakar’s decision to rejoin it as “another milestone recorded by the current leadership of our party in its quest to reconcile, rebuild and restructure the PDP ahead of the 2019 General Elections and beyond.
“We will continue to remain transparent and dedicated to the service of this party. Again, we want to use this opportunity to call on all our members that are still in the APC or other parties to return home.
“We are equally extending our invitation to all those in the APC who are frustrated by the party’s failure to deliver the goods. Anyone who is desirous of a return to the era of abundance and freedom under the PDP administration is welcome. The umbrella is big enough to accommodate all.
“We enjoin our members nationwide to come together as one family, as we march to Eagle Square, Abuja on Saturday 9 – Sunday 10, December 2017 to elect our new leaders who will manage the affairs of our party at the national level,” the statement said.
