Atiku Begins Search for Vice President, Opts for South-East Zone
Hardly did Atiku emerge as the winner than the talk of his running mate started.
Investigations by our correspondents showed that the search might have been limited to the South-East region of the country.
The choice of the region, political analysts believe is because the zone has suffered negligence, having been denied any of top two positions in the country since the return to civilian rule in 1999.
Beyond the marginalization sentiment however, the region parades some of the finest candidates and most suitably qualified individuals who can fit into the position and perform optimally if given the opportunity.
Atiku won the PDP presidential primary on Sunday after polling 1,532 votes out of total of 3,221 votes, representing almost 50 per cent of the entire delegates’ votes.
His closest rival, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State scored 693 votes, while the President of the Senate, Olusola Saraki, came third with 317 votes.
A former Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, scored 158 votes; a former Governor of Jigawa, Sule Lamido, polled 96 votes, while a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter Governmental Relations, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki (SAN) scored 65 votes.
A former National Caretaker Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi, polled 74 votes; a former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, scored 48 votes; a former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, polled 35 votes; a former Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang, scored 19 votes, while Dr Datti Ahmed scored five votes.
Top on the list of possible vice president pick are successful businessman and a former Governor of Anambra state, Mr. Peter Obi, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pious Anyim.
But long before the emergence of Atiku as the opposition candidate for the 2019 presidential poll, speculations have been rife that the former Anambra Governor is suitable by all standard for the VP position for party in 2019.
Those who favour this perspective said that anyone who emerges as presidential flag bearer of the PDP should leverage on the popularity of the former Anambra Governor whose sterling performance in office as governor has become a measure for assessing the success or failure others.
Those who opt for the Deputy Senate President and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation claim that having served in different capacities at the federal level must have prepared them for the VP job.
Atiku won the PDP presidential primary on Sunday after polling 1,532 votes out of total of 3,221 votes, representing almost 50 per cent of the entire delegates’ votes.
His closest rival, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State scored 693 votes, while the President of the Senate, Olusola Saraki, came third with 317 votes.
A former Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, scored 158 votes; a former Governor of Jigawa, Sule Lamido, polled 96 votes, while a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter Governmental Relations, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki (SAN) scored 65 votes.
A former National Caretaker Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi, polled 74 votes; a former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, scored 48 votes; a former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, polled 35 votes; a former Plateau State governor, Jonah Jang, scored 19 votes, while Dr Datti Ahmed scored five votes.
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