Review of the PDP Presidential Primaries

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primaries were held on May 28, 2022, and it sparked different feelings in different parts of the country. For seasoned presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and his supporters, the victory dance lasted all night. His resounding success in the primaries attests to his perpetual political importance and, and for others, an unrelenting strangulating influence inside the PDP.

The nomination and statement of interest forms were purchased by 17 people. Two were excluded by the screening committee led by former senate president, David Mark. A widely popular aspirant, Peter Obi had opted out of the contest and resigned from the party. In another twist of events, Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal stood aside for Atiku, citing patriotism and love for the party as his reasons for doing so, leaving 13 contenders.

Those familiar with the PDP and the Nigerian political milieu had expected Atiku Abubakar's victory well before the election. Despite the efforts of other candidates, it was evident to observers that Atiku was the only candidate capable of defeating himself. Dr. Peter Obi's withdrawal from the race, allegedly after learning of a northern plot to mobilize for the return of one of their own, led to this conclusion.

Key Takeaways from the event

1. Each election cycle in Nigeria reveals the country's unpleasant centrifugal underbelly, reminding us that the frequent screams of togetherness, even among people from the same regional politico-cultural bloc, are like whited tombs concealing death and decay. Senator Bukola Saraki was seen as one of the leading candidates and conducted most of his campaigning in the north. For him, the northern bloc votes were sufficient to secure his win. He was less concerned about the South East and South South, where it appeared that Nyesom Wike maintained power. Saraki, like his father before him, was reminded that there is a distinction between northerners from the north-central region and those from (politically referred to as) the "core-north." This means that the "One-north" we all hear about in the grander political design stretches only from the left to the right of the map and does not extend below.

2. The emergence of Atiku is reflective of the PDP across the country. From Sokoto to Bayelsa and from Lagos to Borno, the same leaders who were at the helm the day the party was founded continue to strive to maintain power. This is indicative of a political party that is aging or has aged, and I doubt there will be a PDP in the years to come without deliberate regeneration, and even that is contingent on whether Atiku wins the presidency in this election cycle. An opportunity for a generational shift has been lost.

3. Despite his repeated defeats in Nigeria's presidential elections, Atiku Abubakar has demonstrated beyond any reasonable doubt that he possesses the strength, stamina, and tenacity to remain a formidable force. This may be a quality that serves him well, and potentially the nation as well. His level of commitment and consistency is unparalleled. With bloc votes from the North, and particularly if the incumbent APC fails to handle its own succession with finesse and care, Atiku may have a smooth path to the president this time around.

Hmm