Indications emerged last night why South-East governors voted on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are foot-dragging to support the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar.

A source close to the governors told Daily Independent that since Atiku settled for Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, as his running mate, the governors have been giving his ambition cold shoulders.

The source attributed their attitude to their personal ambition, noting that they are angling to contest for the presidency in 2023 when their tenures as governors will end.

He said originally they were pandering to President Muhammadu Buhari following their fear of sacked Lawal Daura, former director general of the Department of State Services (DSS), noting that they have now overcome that fear with Daura out of the equation.

“Their concern now is all about 2023 when their tenures will end. And since the South-East is likely to produce the presidency they are all angling to position themselves. But Atiku picking Obi as his running mate puts Obi in a vantage position to contest for the presidency in 2023. That is actually their problem with Atiku”, he said.

He said the issue of not consulting them before picking Obi as running mate is just a cover-up to their personal ambition of the presidency in 2023.

The source noted that the South-East governors may align with the All Progressives Congress (APC) that has also promised the zone the ticket in 2023.

He said that the president’s men and their colleague governors have been wooing them and any time the president travels out of the country he picks one of them to be among his entourage, noting that there’s a reason to this.

Meanwhile, Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, said he did not resign his position as the South-South coordinator of the Atiku campaign team.

According to the governor, “I am the one to lead PDP campaign in South-South, my purported resignation rumour from PDP campaign team was orchestrated by those that are panicking already”.

Some reports claimed that Wike had resigned his appointment as the South-South zonal coordinator of the PDP presidential campaign council.

The PDP had in October named Senate President Bukola Saraki as Director-General of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Council, along with prominent leaders of the party as zonal coordinators.

Announcing their appointment, the party’s national chairman, Uche Secondus, had said, “After due consultation with party stakeholders, PDP, under my leadership has approved the following as members of Atiku Presidential Campaign Council.”

Apart from the Senate President, Ayo Fayose, Aminu Tambuwal, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Samuel Ortom, Nyesom Wike and Dave Umahi were named as zonal coordinators.

While Governor Aminu Tambuwal was named as the zonal coordinator for North-West, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo was appointed zonal coordinator for North-East, Governor Samuel Ortom for North-Central, Governor Dave Umahi for South-East, Nyesom Wike for South-South and former Governor Ayodele Fayose as zonal coordinator for the South-West.

Again, Wike also said he may not be in Sokoto today for the kick-off of Atiku campaign because he is hosting the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Rivers State.

WisdomFlakes:
This Atiku's candidacy is generating too many controversies for my liking. I am one of those that applauded his emergence because I felt he had the wherewithal to match Buhari APC pound-for-pound. But now I am beginning to have a rethink because since his emergence it has been from one crisis to the other. If it is not his alleged corrupt past and visa issuance distractions, it is about Peter Obi choice or southeast governors giving him the cold shoulder. Seems he has too much baggage to deal with. I just tire.

WisdomFlakes:
This Atiku's candidacy is generating too many controversies for my liking. I am one of those that applauded his emergence because I felt he had the wherewithal to match Buhari APC pound-for-pound. But now I am beginning to have a rethink because since his emergence it has been from one crisis to the other. If it is not his alleged corrupt past and visa issuance distractions, it is about Peter Obi choice or southeast governors giving him the cold shoulder. Seems he has too much baggage to deal with. I just tire.

Newbiee:
How far with Atiku's US visit?

Who is bankrolling Atiku campaign now?

Nyesom Wike the PDP CEO don vex since his candidate was out-dollared in Port Harcourt.

Udom Emmanuel have his hands full with Akpabio challenge.

Ben Ayade has kept himself away from PDP frenzy.

Seriake Dickson is more of an observer now.

Okowa is fighting for his own survival.

Gov. Umahi is fascinated by Buhari's achievements.

Gov. Obiano don't want anything to do with PDP and would rather work with Buhari.

Gov. Dankwambo now knows it is suicidal to support Atiku.

Ishaya Darius of Taraba is minding his own business.

Ortom suddenly has realised that herdsmen crisis can no longer give him automatic ticket, and the Ortom slogan of "Otomatic" don't sound like automatic any more and no more appealing.

Gov. Aminu Tambuwal is begging sokoto people to forgive his stupidity and still allow him to be their governor for the second time.

Kwara's Fatai Ahmed has woken up from Saraki's induced coma.��

Nnmadi Kanu's brother Gov Ikpeazu cannot bankroll Atiku since the supreme leader said No "Lefeledum no Erection". ��

Kwankwaso wants to save some face and may actually be on his way back to APC.

Lamido is no longer willing to work with Satan to dethrone Buhari, maybe the only Satan he is willing to work with is himself.

Makarfi just fizzled out as if he didn't fight heaven and earth to collect the PDP Chairman position from Modu Sheriff.

David mark is still in shock with the 35 votes he got in PH, he didn't know who he should be angry at; is it the 122 Benue state delegates that gave him only 35 votes or the party he served for 20 years, that couldn't reward loyalty?

Jonah Jang's own is worse, this time around he got the 19 votes he needed to beat Ameachi in the GOVERNOR'S FORUM'S election, but alas this is a different election. Ok.

Maybe OBJ will roll out the money, but Baba Iyabo is only known for spending government money during election.

So Atiku is left with SARAKI and those who want to even make dollars from him instead of contributing to the election.

It sounds funny but so true.

In short, all PDP Governors have suddenly realised that their support for an Atiku over a Buhari, is nothing but sure way to waste their states meager resources and a journey to nowhere.
Elton Onwu

WisdomFlakes:
This Atiku's candidacy is generating too many controversies for my liking. I am one of those that applauded his emergence because I felt he had the wherewithal to match Buhari APC pound-for-pound. But now I am beginning to have a rethink because since his emergence it has been from one crisis to the other. If it is not his alleged corrupt past and visa issuance distractions, it is about Peter Obi choice or southeast governors giving him the cold shoulder. Seems he has too much baggage to deal with. I just tire.