It has emerged that former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, may settle for a former South-South governor as his running-mate in the 2011 presidential election in his bid to win the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Minna-born General last Sunday, at his Hilltop Mansion in Minna during an interactive session with top media practitioners, declared his intention to contest the election.

A source close to the General informed that the contemplation that had favoured a former governor of one of the South Eastern states, who was also a presidential candidate at the 2007 presidential election, has just been jettisoned for very tactical reasons.

Before now, it was almost taken for granted that a south-easterner would run with IBB.

However, with the recent development by way of assurance that he would only do a term and with the possibility of an Igbo man emerging the president in 2015, it was reasoned that the best thing to do for now was play a card sufficiently strong to neutralise the power and influence of incumbency and likelihood of a block vote.

It was learnt that with a South-South media magnate who has allegedly agreed to be the Campaign Director for IBB, having a formidable politician from the zone is a way to break the rank of the region so that it does not queue behind President Goodluck Jonathan during the primary.

“The equation has changed or let me say will change eventually. The South East would have been ideal as the place to source for a running-mate. But the reality on ground is that it could be an expensive gambit because it could reinforce the hand of the opposition, especially the incumbent. If the incumbent is seen as the strongest opposition, the best thing would be to go to his backyard and pick a man that has clout.  That is the point at which we are now,” the source said.

Described as politically experienced, the man in question has also aspired to rule in 2007 but many things worked against him, most especially the allegation of fraud against his administration for which he was thoroughly threatened by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

But the permutation, according to our source, is still being fine-tuned because of the known position of the target politician. Those who mute the idea believe that in politics anything is possible, especially when it has so much merit that the present case to those involved.

But efforts to find out the position of IBB camp as at  press time failed as text messages sent to IBB’s media aide, Kassim Afegbua, were not replied.

If IBB truly wants to run with Donald Duke, he should get ready to apply to be Duke's VP and that will be subject to approval.

But say Duke will be IBB's VP? forget it.

Let IBB pick Peter Odili as his deputy, they'll make a perfect thieving couple and that will hasten Nigeria's slugish move to the grave!

mikeansy:

If IBB truly wants to run with Donald Duke, he should get ready to apply to be Duke's VP and that will be subject to approval.

But say Duke will be IBB's VP? forget it.

Donald Duke's whole campaign has pointed toward bargaining for a VP post. He has virtually no machinery on the ground, yet has been talking about a presidential campaign; I can see him lobbying to become IBB's deputy.
In fact, talks must have gone some distance for his name to be mentioned for IBB's people to start putting it to the press, things like that don't miraculously appear from the blue.

So, lets wait a week (very generous) and see if Donald Duke forcefully denies any links with IBB.

Beaf:

Donald Duke's whole campaign has pointed toward bargaining for a VP post. He has virtually no machinery on the ground, yet has been talking about a presidential campaign; I can see him lobbying to become IBB's deputy.
In fact, talks must have gone some distance for his name to be mentioned for IBB's people to start putting it to the press, things like that don't miraculously appear from the blue.

So, lets wait a week (very generous) and see if Donald Duke forcefully denies any links with IBB.

People do not set up campaigns to run for office of Vice President. It does not happen anywhere, people are open to make any assumptions and speculations they like. It is not Donald Duke's prerogative to respond to every ridiculous speculation from anonymous members of IBB Camp.

Donald Duke is no longer a PDP man, IBB is. Donald Duke changed parties to Labour because of his Presidential ambition.

Donald Duke has already started consultations with Nigerians worldwide and made it clear he is interested in running. Jonathan Has not said a word on leadership in 2011 rather he depends on surrogates to continue speculating on his ambition.

So by Beaf's logic we should be asking if Jonathan Goodluck is plotting to revert to Sambo's VP because Duke has made more effort in campaigning, defining his agenda for the future of Nigeria, and campaigning than Jonathan has.

Donald Duke has made quite clear that he wants to contest for Presidency not VP. He came to Houston TX to talk about his ambitions and I was there too. It will be left for voters to decide his fate. Check out my Thenaijascene.com for pics.

mikeansy:

People do not set up campaigns to run for office of Vice President. It does not happen anywhere, people are open to make any assumptions and speculations they like. It is not Donald Duke's prerogative to respond to every ridiculous speculation from anonymous members of IBB Camp.

Donald Duke is no longer a PDP man, IBB is. Donald Duke changed parties to Labour because of his Presidential ambition.

Donald Duke has already started consultations with Nigerians worldwide and made it clear he is interested in running. Jonathan Has not said a word on leadership in 2011 rather he depends on surrogates to continue speculating on his ambition.

So by Beaf's logic we should be asking if Jonathan Goodluck is plotting to revert to Sambo's VP because Duke has made more effort in campaigning, defining his agenda for the future of Nigeria, and campaigning than Jonathan has.

Lets forget about Jonathan, cos thats just a diversion.

I'm not aware of anything that says IBB's running mate must be a PDP man, that argument does not cut Duke out of contention for the position.
Lets hear from Donald Duke himself if he is interested in IBB or not.

desgiezd:

Let IBB pick Peter Odili as his deputy, they'll make a perfect thieving couple and that will hasten Nigeria's slugish move to the grave!

GBAM!

*point of correction* I meant my friend's not mine

Beaf:

Lets forget about Jonathan, cos thats just a diversion.

I'm not aware of anything that says IBB's running mate must be a PDP man, that argument does not cut Duke out of contention for the position.
Lets hear from Donald Duke himself if he is interested in IBB or not.

So an anonymous member of IBB campaign makes a ridiculous speculation and you think Donald Duke has a duty to respond?