Temidayo Akinsuyi, Lagos

Ahead of the national con­vention of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) scheduled for October 30, two former Senate Presidents, Da­vid Mark, and Bukola Saraki, have declined interest in contesting for the national chairmanship posi­tion of the party, Daily Independent has gathered.

While Mark is hoping to suc­ceed Senator Walid Jibrin as the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Saraki is said to have his eyes firmly set on becom­ing the presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2023 general elec­tions.

The zoning committee of the party, headed by the governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, had last week zoned the position of the national chairman to the North.

Ugwuanyi had announced that the National Working Committee (NWC) positions currently being held by party members across the country would be swapped be­tween the North and South.

Credible sources in the party said though it was not formally announced, stakeholders in the party have micro-zoned the position to the North-Central region.

Although Mark was being promoted by PDP governors who saw him as a stabiliser with the much-needed experience to manage the party’s affairs, our correspondent gathered from sources close to him that he has declined the offer.

“David Mark is not interested in the chairmanship of the party. What he wants is the position of BoT chairman. He has seen it that the North-Central has produced five national chairmen in the past – Solomon Lar, Barnabas Gemade, Ahmadu Alli, Kawu Baraje, and AuduOgbe.

“The North Easth as produced Bamanga Tukur and North-West has only produced Acting Chair­man, Mohammed Haliru Bello. The South-East has also produced two National Chairmen in Chief Vincent Ogbula for and Okwesil­ieze Nwodo.

“Even, both Haliru Bello and Makarfi who came from North- West served in acting capacities.

“Also, Mark and the North pre­fer a Northern Muslim so that the South can produce a Christian as National Secretary. Once you take a Northern Christian as chairman, then you have restricted the national secretary who must be a Muslim to only one zone in the South,” a credible source close to the former Senate President informed our correspondent.

Also, it was gathered that Sara­ki, who served as chairman of the PDP National Reconciliation Committee, is also not interested in becoming the national chairman and has politely declined the offer.

While some governors in the party who wanted a former governor to become the national chairman are pushing for Saraki, it was gathered by our source that the former two-term governor of Kwara is focused on a bigger, national project in 2023.

According to a member of the party’s National Executive Com­mittee (NEC), Saraki is interested in contesting for the presidency even though he is yet to formally declare his ambition.
“I understand Saraki, too, has declined the offer. He has not informed us but we understand he has his eyes set on contesting the 2023 presidential election on the platform of our great party,” he said.

https://independent.ng/pdp-convention-mark-saraki-reject-party-national-chairmanship/

Two thieves..

former senate presidents to become chairman of opposition party? insult upon injury

Just like that...you mean a useless Nigerian politician in our own time reject an appointment just like that!!?

They are richer than the position

Ever8090:
Just like that...you mean a useless Nigerian politician in our own time reject an appointment just like that!!?

Mark is the best man for the job of chairmanship.

There’s nothing wrong if a Yoruba Muslim becomes Secretary of the party.

Saraki should just settle for VP slot.

Power is coming to South.

Penguin2:
Mark is the best man for the job of chairmanship.

There’s nothing wrong if a Yoruba Muslim becomes Secretary of the party.

Saraki should just settle for VP slot.

Power is coming to South.

Saraki is seen as southerner in the north.

joyandfaith:


Saraki is seen as southerner in the north.

Lol!

Fulani people are funny.

When Kwara people are serving their purpose they call them northerners.

When they are not gonna serve their purpose, they call them southerners.

Maybe PDP might just settle for Dakwambo, Kwankwaso or Lamido.

PDP still has alot to do.

Why?

I would gladly vote for Saraki. Yes I know of his time in Ilorin , I know.

Two criminals

Interesting times ahead.

Boommm

These old men never tire to de fool us.. I pity for this so called Nigeria.

The funniest part of this is that. Nigerians dont care about this news. All we want is stability, stable income, good food, electricity and security. They can fight as they want but they should do what is necessary

Honestly talking of the best person for presidency, it's Saraki for me..

Too big for that

Anything that will wash off APC is a welcome development

For to be in that position ehhhh you must prepare for both physical and spiritual war. Dem baba no ready for fight now, everything is getting aggressive in the country

Watching,
Christ is coming soon, repent from every know sin

joyandfaith:


Saraki is seen as southerner in the north.

I must agree with you

Hmmmm

Saraki?who will elect that one as a president?of which country?kwara state under his regime is still fresh in our mind.

Everything religion

Saraki is not a bad choice for PDP ticket,he will bring about a balance in West and North.

I see him a better president than any candidate in APC or PDP.

All is well

O set go

Illuminatiship:
Two thieves..

so says the saint that you are , abi?