The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has earned N680 million from sales of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to 17 presidential aspirants.
Those who had previously collected forms include; former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, River State governor, Nyesom Wike, Akwa-Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose and businessman Hayatu-Deen Mohammed.
Others are; former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, industrialist, Mazi Sam Ohuambuwa, medical doctor, Nwachukwu Anankwenze, media icon, Dele Momodu. The only women in the race, are Olivier Diana Tariela and Cosmos Chukwudi Ndukwe.
Each of them paid a total sum of N40 million to obtain forms that will enable them to participate in PDP presidential primary election which holds. between May 28 and 29 The Trumpet gathered.
Meanwhile, in the last 48 hours, some of the aspirants continue consultations with different organs and stakeholders within the party.
Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal and Akwa-Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel, were all at different times in the last two days, consulted caucuses of the party in both chambers of the National Assembly, members of the Board of Trustees and forum of former ministers.
So, also had the National Working Committee (NWC) received aspirants who came to present their intention to seek the party’s presidential ticket.
On Tuesday, the Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed canvassed the support of his former minister colleagues under the PDP administration, particularly that of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He told the former ministers that he wants to bring his wealth of experience as a journalist, lawmaker, minister and state governor to bear in administering the country.
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Gov. Mohammed said he will not be a sectional leader or religious bigot, but unify all sections of the country. “I want to be a president of all Nigerians”, he said.
He was at the PDP secretariat on Wednesday to inform the NWC of his intention and later met with members of the Board of Trustees (BoT).
Mohammed noted that he is not the best of the 17 presidential aspirants but has what it takes to lead. He though promised to work with anyone that emerged as the party’s candidate.
Before him, former Senate President, Anyim was before the NWC where he presented a blueprint of his mission to rescue the country from the misrule of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Also former Senate President, Bukola Saraki engaged members of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT).
Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel while meeting with members of the PDP House of Representatives Caucus said he can create wealth and strengthen the nation’s currency.
Emmanuel said that tackling Nigeria’s problems does not require rocket science but the right leader adopting the right policies and decisions.
Akwa Ibom governor said that with the right leadership, Nigeria has no reason to go through the challenges it was currently going through.
“The problem we have in Nigeria today is that we don’t have leaders who can create wealth. If you don’t how to create wealth, you will not know how to run an economy.”
He added that Nigeria needs a leader who could create wealth, he said he had demonstrated that in Akwa Ibom state by venturing into airlines business.
