PDP lobbies Kwankwaso, searches for Ideal Presidential Candidate

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has concluded plans to launch an all-time action that would see some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) return to the opposition party ahead of 2019. Top among those penciled for this are Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and a presidential aspirant of the APC in 2015, Sen Rabiu Kwakwanso.
The move, according to Breaking News, an online news media, comes as the party reportedly begins search for a presidential candidate ahead of 2019. Kwankwaso is a former governor of Kano State and has been in a running battle with his successor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
Reports however see Tambuwal as limited due to the area he comes from, also noting that he seem to politically bigger as speaker of the House of Representatives than as governor. The report quoted a source as saying: “There is no evidence of lack of amity between the PDP and Kwakwanso.
“Now that there is a division in Kano state APC, we are likely to succeed in our effort to encourage Kwakwanso to return. Kwakwanso actually wants to return, if we mount more pressure on him and convince him. But when he returns, he may have to fight for the ticket at the primary without any special concession given to him beyond the normal waiver.”
It was learnt that the PDP is preparing a presidential search team that would be made of experienced party leaders, intellectual friends of the PDP, founding fathers of the party, National Assembly members, the governors and other officials. They would consult widely and liaise with prominent leaders of opinion, including royal fathers, religious leaders, past leaders of government and other influential blocs in the society.
“For us in the PDP, it is a moment of sober reflection. We are facing the reality. It may not be easy to displace an incumbent. But, they defeated us. That has given us the courage that we can also defeat them. We need a new strategy. We must also make sacrifice to bounce back. To win, we must strategise, plan and execute our plans with dexterity.
“MKO Abiola was accepted by all the six regions. Somebody with that kind of antecedent can be honoured with the ticket to salvage Nigeria from the APC. He can come from the business world, diplomacy, and other sectors where he has made a name.