PDP presidential aspirants: Who are they?

With just a few months to the 2019 general elections, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been active in putting its house together to take over from the opposition party next year.

Perhaps the recent massive exodus of political bigwigs from the APC may have increased their morale as many heavyweight politicians have signified their interest in running for the number one position on the platform of the PDP.

Here is a list of all the aspirants who want to be the flag bearer of the PDP in the 2019 presidential election and their brief profiles.

Atiku Abubakar:

Born 25 November, His political sojourn began when he contested for the office of governor in the Gongola State (now Adamawa and Taraba States) in 1991, and for the Presidency in 1993, placing third after MKO Abiola and Babagana Kingibe in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) primaries.

In 1998 he was elected Governor of Adamawa State. While still Governor-Elect he was selected by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential candidate Olusegun Obasanjo as his running mate.

The former vice president is one of the prominent PDP presidential aspirants.

Rabiu Kwankwaso:

Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso is a two-time governor of Kano state. Like Atiku, Kwankwaso recently defected back to the PDP after a long-running superiority battle with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje who succeeded him as the governor of Kano state.

He is the leader of the popular political movement – Kwankwassiya movement. He officially declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2019 on the platform of the PDP in Abuja on Wednesday, August 29.

Sule Lamido:

A two-time governor of Jigawa state, is another prominent member of the PDP with presidential ambition. He served as Nigeria’s foreign minister from 1999 to 2003.

He was elected governor of Jigawa state in April 2007. He ran successfully for re-election on 26 April 2011.

Jonah David Jang:

A former governor of Plateau state and a serving Senator of Nigeria, Jang submitted his letter of intent to the state chairman of the party at the party’s secretariat in Jos.

Jang said it is time for the Middle Belt to rule Nigeria.

Attahiru Bafarawa:

Born 4 November Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa was the governor of Sokoto state from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007.

Just like Atiku, his journey into politics began in 1979 when he contested for election to the House of Representatives on the platform of the Great Nigeria Peoples Party (GNPP).

He was a member of the National Constitutional Conference of 1994–1995, during the military rule of Sani Abacha, a founding member of the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) in 1997 and the All People’s Party (APP) in 1998

Bafarawa has also declared that he will be running for president in 2019, this time under the PDP.

Bukola Saraki:

Currently the incumbent Senate president of Nigeria, Saraki was a two-time governor of Kwara state.

He joined the political terrain in 2003, when he contested for the office of governor of Kwara State on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and won. He was sworn into office in May 2003. He ran again for re-election in 2007 and won his second term.

He recently declared his intention to run for the presidency during a keynote address at a town hall for youths and young aspirants organized by the “Not Too Young To Run” group in Abuja. But the group distanced itself from Saraki’s declaration.

Aminu Tambuwal:

In 2003, he decided to run for a legislative seat as representative of the Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency. He was elected into the House of Representatives on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

Few months to the 2007 general elections, he defected to the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), alongside the former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa.

Tambuwal has held several offices in the House. In 2005, he became the Minority Leader of the House until he defected to the PDP.

He is one of the strongest contenders for the PDP presidential ticket.

Ahmed Makarfi:

Born 8 August, Makarfi is a politician and the former Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party. He was governor of Kaduna State from 29 May 1999 to 29 May 2007, and was elected Senator for Kaduna North in April 2007.

Makarfi was elected governor of Kaduna State in 1999 and won a second four-year term in 2003. In April 2007 he was elected Senator in the Nigerian Senate representing Kaduna North Senatorial District (which includes Makarfi, Kudan, Sabon-Gari, Zaria, Ikara, Soba, Lere and Kubau Local Government Areas

In the April 2011 elections, Makarfi ran for re-election on the PDP platform and was elected.

Datti Baba Ahmed:

Datti Baba-Ahmed was elected in April 2003 to the Federal House of Representatives for the Zaria Federal Constituency, Kaduna State. He ran on the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) platform.

Popular for his activism during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, he was among the lawmakers who opposed letting Obasanjo run for a third term.

He is also one of the contenders for the PDP presidential ticket.

Tanimu Turaki

Born 3 April, Turaki is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. His political journey began during his day as a student in the University of Jos. After graduation, he did not relent.

He became the Secretary, Youth Wing, of National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in 1981 then joined United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) in 1996 where he stood as Kebbi State Gubernatorial aspirant for the party.

In 1998, Tanimu Turaki joined All Peoples’ Party where he was member of its National Executive Committee .

Turaki is one of the Presidential aspirants on the Platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)

Ibrahim Dankwambo:

Currently the incumbent Governor of Gombe state, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwambo started his political career in 2011 when he started his campaign for election as Governor of Gombe State.

He is also among those vying for the sole presidential ticket of the People’s Democratic Party.

David Mark:

Born April 1948, David Mark is a retired Nigerian Army Brigadier General and politician. He was President of the Senate of Nigeria from 2007 to 2015.

Prior to becoming a senator, he was the military governor of Niger State from 1984 to 1986 and a minister of Communication.

Senator David Mark is also among those that would be vying for the nation’s number one position on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).