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Welcome to the official PDP presidential primaries thread, the importance cannot be overemphasized, this process today would have implications everywhere in the country. I hope to get volunteers to run this thread together, we will strive to make it fun and deliver live updates as the news trickle in. If you are in or around Abuja feel free to tell us what the atmosphere is like around you.


Coming up next the contestants.

Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, GCFR, GCON

Facts
DOB 20 November 1957
President of Nigeria -Incumbent
Assumed office - 6 May 2010
B.Sc. degree in Zoology 2-1(University of Port Harcourt)
M.Sc. degree in Hydrobiology and Fisheries biology (University of Port Harcourt)
Ph.D. degree in Zoology[/font]
His ascent to the apex position in Nigerian politics was nothing short of what you would obtain at the box office. Born in Otueke in Ogbia Local Government Area of the then Eastern Region, later Rivers State, now Bayelsa State to a family of canoe makers. Ebele Jonathan (a Christian Ijaw from the southern part of Nigeria) said the name Goodluck came to him after his son was born when he "instinctively realized that this child has that element of fortune.

Political Career
Bayelsa State governorship
Jonathan began his career in politics in 1998, having joined the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998. Jonathan, previously the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, succeeded Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, who was impeached by the Bayelsa State Assembly after being charged with money laundering in the United Kingdom.

Presidential race

In December 2006, Jonathan was selected as running mate to Umaru Yar'Adua for the ruling PDP presidential ticket in the April 2007 election. On 20 April 2007, shortly before the presidential election, a militant attack that was described by police as an assassination attempt against Jonathan occurred in Bayelsa State.
Vice Presidency

Following the PDP's disputed electoral victory, militants blew up Jonathan's country house in Otu-Eke, Bayelsa State on 16 May; two policemen were killed in the attack. Jonathan was not present at the time.After taking office, Yar'Adua publicly declared his assets, and on 8 August 2007, Jonathan also did so.

Acting President

President Umaru Yar'Adua left Nigeria on 23 November 2009 for medical treatment. He did not provide for anyone to assume his duties. On 13 January 2010, a federal court handed Vice-President Jonathan the power to carry out state affairs in the president's continued absence. On 22 January 2010, the Supreme Court of Nigeria ruled that the Federal Executive Council(FEC)had 14 days to decide on a resolution about whether President Yar'Adua "is incapable of discharging the functions of his office". In a nationwide address in February 2010, Jonathan called on all Nigerians to set aside religious and ethnic differences to work together for the common good. Jonathan said "The events of the recent past have put to a test our collective resolve as a democratic nation," "I am delighted to know that our nation has demonstrated resilience and unity of purpose.

Presidency

Yar'Adua died on 5 May 2010. Jonathan was sworn in as Yar'Adua's replacement on 6 May 2010, becoming Nigeria's 14th Head of State. He will serve as President until the next election. Upon taking office, Jonathan cited anti-corruption, power and electoral reform as likely focuses of his administration. He stated that he came to office under "very sad and unusual circumstances."
On 18 May 2010, the National Assembly approved President Goodluck Jonathan's nomination of former Kaduna State governor, Namadi Sambo, an architect, for the position of Vice President.


If you are betting person the odds are stacked in his favor but like we have seen in recent times it would be dangerous to underestimate the opposition.

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar
Facts
DOB born 25 November 1946
Vice-President of Nigeria  from 1999 to 2007



Background

Abubakar came up the ranks of the ruling PDP primarily, due to the pivotal role he played in its formation. He was also an ardent opponent of General Sani Abacha, the late dictator. Atiku's source of wealth has caused some curiosity among Nigerians but that also goes for many other wealthy Nigerians. He has said in a new biography yet to be published that he made his money, "through wise investments, hard work and sheer luck of being at the right place at the right time".

Atiku attended Jada Primary School, 1954–1960, Adamawa Provinsional School, Yola, 1961 to 1965, with Advance Level studies in Economics, British Economic History, Government and Hausa Language, School of hygiene Kano, 1966–1967, graduating with Royal Society of Health Diploma, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 1967, graduating with Diploma in Law, in 1969

Atiku joined the Customs and Excise department in 1969, serving in Seme, Kano, Maiduguri, Kaduna, Ibadan and Lagos. He rose to the rank of Deputy Director (second in command nationwide). Since then, he has attended courses in Leadership Management, Drug Enforcement and Control in Finland, Egypt and United States of America.

In 2006, Atiku had in a face-off with his direct superior, President Olusegun Obasanjo, due to the latter's eventual failed attempts to amend certain provisions of the constitution in order to take another shot at the presidency (for the third consecutive time). It is unclear whether Atiku's opposition to President Obasanjo's inordinate ambition was altruistic or selfish. Nonetheless, Atiku had never hidden his interest in the coveted post. The debate and acrimony generate by the failed constitutional amendment momentarily caused a rift in the People's Democratic Party. It also appears to have irreparably damaged both men's political and personal relationship, of which, Mr Abubakar, from all indications, is feeling the brunt of it. Despite the furor, the Nigerian National Assembly eventually voted against any amendments allowing Obasanjo to run for another term.



Controversy

On 25 November 2006 Abubakar announced that he would run for President; he did not announce immediately which party he would represent, although he inaugurated a presidential campaign committee.

On 20 December 2006, he was chosen as the presidential candidate of the Action Congress (AC)

Atiku returned to the People's Democratic Party, a party he was a founding member. Since his return, the former Vice President has declared his intention to run for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. On the 22nd of november, the Ciroma Committee selected Atiku as the Northern Consensus Candidate over former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, former National Security Adviser Aliyu Gusau and Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara State.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atiku_Abubakar

According to CNN, Jonathan has more Facebook fans than the combined tally of British Prime Minister David Cameron, German chancellor Angela Merkel, and South African head of state Jacob Zuma. However, fresh updates on his Facbook wall appear to be written by Jonathan himself. He is often regarded as "The Facebook president" by CNN.

First News of the morning,
According to Atiku Campaign Organisation - Master list of Delegates no where to be found and state delegates would be forced to vote on marked boxes showing their states.

Interesting

I am so happy that GEJ would win.


God is wonderful sha - He says " My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine."

The election of GEJ as the President will be the final straw that would break the Camel's(PDP) back.  That bondage called PDP will be so disjointed to the extent that only a graveyard can accommodate it.

Evil cannot forever triumph over good.

Police helicopter over the eagle square

Empty square

Waiting Game begins. I remember the 2003 primaries: Obasanjo Obasanjo, Obasanjo, Obasanjo, Obasanjo, Rimi, Obasanjo, Obasanjo, Obasanjo, Obasanjo, Okwarocha. LOL

Heavy Security and traffic around Eagle  -- hawkers and bombers have been told to stay fck away - so oti gbo.


These people mean business  - about 6 layers of security checks to get into Eagle square.

if only they would protect the common man like this Nija will be a safer place.

aisha2:

Waiting Game begins. I remember the 2003 primaries: Obasanjo Obasanjo, Obasanjo, Obasanjo, Obasanjo, Rimi, Obasanjo, Obasanjo, Obasanjo, Obasanjo, Okwarocha. LOL

I actually stayed up all night to watch it.

Obasanjo the master strategist!

Pls any update yet abt d hapenings inside eagles square?

Atiku is winning by a large margin I am told

More updates plz!

Atiku is still winning!

A text from a delegate: "things are happening behind the scenes! We may be late sha" No wonder

2 major camps are denying inducing delegates with cash, so the delegates are the winners

Apparently there's disagreement over whether ballots should be labeled by state between both Camps

a delegate said, our state gov'nor has instructed us on who to vote for, I'm going to do my own thing & I'm not alone

The only presidential aspirant so far present at the Eagles Square is Sarah Jibril

hmmmm,,, the game begins,, well as for PDP jonathan is likely to win

Party primaries in Nigeria are typically cash-and-carry affairs; the only rule is that there are no rules, delegates ‘eat' from all camps, and keep their options open till the last minute. This can make it a most frustrating exercise for candidates, requiring an endless supply of cash, often denominated in dollars.
There is no evidence that today will be different, whether in how the battle will be fought (with cash), or in the outcome (victory to the ‘incumbent'). No incumbent Nigerian President has ever lost a re-election bid. In a political system in which the President is seen as "leader" of the party, it is hard to imagine how a challenger would succeed staging an upset, and dislodging the person from whom all patronage - contracts and appointments - flows. Already a number of party leaders have insisted that there is "no vacancy" in Aso Rock.

Heard its not live on NTA like it has always been. Abeg na true my people?

nothing is new but rumors are flying all over the place.

Not so sure if they have kicked off yet guys lets cool the tempo small. I have all four TV's on AIT NTA CHANNELS AND SILVERBIRD and non has started showing it. I am pretty sure it would be broadcast live.
For now stories emerging are as follows

- State governors control their delegates and have them on a leash. Most of them were brought in by buses straight from their state lodges.
- There is a rumor from the Atiku camp that Tony Anenih has vowed to punish those from the south south who do not vote for goodluck
- A one kilometer radius has been setup around eagles square, a total of 17,000 policemen have been deployed to see the process goes through smoothly. They have been barred from taking their guns, tear gas canisters and so on into the eagles square.

Ebele offering $7k, Atiku offering $5k, so that's $12k for any sharp delegate

@fstranger1,how do you know Atiku will win?

Despite d restraining order by d High Court in Enugu,the PDP National Chairman Dr.E Nwodo says he is stil in charge.

Money is being shared in dollars. Bereau d change dey see market since yesterday, dem dey change money for bags. Policemen outnumber delegates one to 3, helicopter everywhere but no be by plenty police and no gadgets. anyway wish them bomb free primaries

Delegates are presently at State Liasons before being transported to Wadata

For those of us just joining in the political gladiators are still in the dug out getting ready to do battle. The drums have been beating in the past months, law suits filed and some thrown out. The fight got down right and dirty, it remains to be seen what will be of the party by the time these results would be announced.

Stay tuned for more. We would appreciate live comments from anyone physically on ground at the Eagles square.

In fact Seun for send person to represent Nairaland there abi?