2023; Obi not in view as, Atiku, Saraki, Wike ‘Emerge As Favorites’ For PDP Presidential Ticket.

The people’s democratic party have reduced its presidential aspirants from 15 to 3 ahead of its primaries on the 28th of May.

The presidential primaries of the main opposition party are scheduled for May 28 and 29 at Eagles Square, Abuja.

Those in the race for the PDP ticket include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President Bukola Saraki; former banker, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen; Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State; Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State; former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi; former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim; Media mogul, Dele Momodu; Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom; Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State and others.

Unlike the ruling  All progressive congress (APC) which have seen close to 30 hopeful register interest in succeeding President Muhammad  Buhari, the PDP had concluded formalities on who and who will contest in the primaries following the successful screening of the aspirants by a panel led by former Senate President David Mark.

Sources revealed that the leadership of the PDP is looking to take a presidential candidate from the North as a form of payback for what the APC did in 2015.

It was however gathered that the seeming preference for a Northern candidate may have affected the chances of Southern candidates like Anyim, Obi, Wike, Emmanuel, Momodu, Ohuabunwa and others who are from the South.

Aspirants like Anyim, Obi, Wike and Udom will most likely be selected as running mates to the eventual presidential candidate.

“Another non-presidential aspirant said to be high in consideration as a possible feature in the presidential ticket is Ifeanyi Okowa.

“The Delta State governor is seen to be well-loved and has preserved himself for the future top post by not joining the presidential race.

“Right now, in top PDP circles, Atiku and Saraki are seen as the leading presidential aspirants from the North, while in the South, Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, whose pocket is the deepest among the aspirants is also being considered. Wike has emerged as the biggest spender in the party.

“Wike’s strength is just the money that he has and is deploying to get people to listen to him or to buy support.

“While the leaders are not comfortable with Wike and are not ready to trust him with the ticket, they believe he has to be factored into the consideration for the convention or primaries.

“The elders believe that as of today, the PDP has three leading aspirants, one of whom will emerge.

“They are Atiku, Saraki (both from the North) and Wike. They believe the three men are the ones they have to make up their mind on who to back and sell to the super delegates who will then spread the message down to the other delegates.

“As of today, the three men are the leading aspirants in terms of their reach, acceptance, name recognition, exhaustive campaign and influence among delegates.

“The leaders also believe the three men are the ones the undecided delegates are thinking about making up their minds on what to do and where to vote.

“The delegates should have the next 18 days to make up their mind and decide which of the three men will fly the flag of the party,” he said.