The Generation Next Collective (GNC), has called on the leadership of the People Democratic Party (PDP), to act fast and be more emphatic about the direction the party intends to go in choosing its candidate for the 2023 presidential election.
GNC is a coalition of pragmatic youth and women groups with a core interest in developing strategies and democratic accountability.
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According to the group, the 2023 presidential election would be more consequential than currently anticipated and the PDP would need to be more circumspect, creative and decisive in the process of selecting a candidate that would give it the best chance against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The PDP’s best bet at the presidency, the group also canvased, would be “a robust consensus arrangement, devoid of internal rivalry and destructive competition tendencies that would most likely diminish the acceptability of the various aspirants, as currently being promoted by some interests in the
“Such unhealthy divisive rivalry should be nipped in the bud, as it could undermine the strength and marketability of the party and its candidate.”
According to GNC, in a statement by its co-conveners, Barrister Ruth Edehemon and Malam Rufai Abdulahi PhD, in Abuja, on Thursday, “across the nation, there is a general consensus that 2023 election should, as a matter of importance, answer some nagging questions, among which are equity, justice and inclusion, the key tripod that ensures democratic balance.
“And PDP as a democratic party, should not shy away from this conversation that is rooted in fairness and truth. Beyond sentiments, the South and North are deserving of fair play and inclusion, a twin democratic feature that have been unwittingly starved by the government in power and would require an urgent restoration for the common good and unity of our dear nation.”
The GNC urged the PDP to address the lingering ambiguity over which zone the presidential candidate should come from.
On the aspirant from the North with requisite leadership and managerial experience, personality and public appeal, that could benefit from the consensus approach, the GNC said: “With no prejudice to other prominent aspirants from the zone in PDP, the party should build consensus around someone with less controversy or negative public sentiments, with an unquestionable vigour for the demanding job of a president, essentially now that public scrutiny is rising over age and other physical variables of potential candidates, ahead of the general election.
“One person, in our estimation, that ticks the right boxes, is the Governor of Sokoto State, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
“[Tambuwal is] a lawyer, lawmaker, public administrator and chief executive of a state in the past seven years. It is our view and those of many, that the PDP would not be making a mistake with his choice and wealth of experience”.
