Why PDP Should Pick Atiku Or Saraki To Battle Buhari In 2019

The ship of the major opposition political party in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been filled with more crew members, who have much knowledge of sea voyage.

Since the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) mounted the saddle of leadership of the country on Friday, May 29, 2015, the party has lost some bigwigs due to what was termed as not being carried along the mainstream of things.

The first heavyweight was former two term vice president of the nation, Atiku Abubakar.

Fast forward to a few days ago, current Senate president, Abubakar Bukola Saraki and three APC governors also decamped to the PDP.

Is there any lesson in this for the APC? The governing party is in the best position to answer this.

The crux of these backstabbing, subterfuge, intrigues and mudslinging, are all towards who controls the federal government after 2019 general elections. For the APC, it's conspicuously clear that President Muhammadu Buhari will be given an automatic ticket or will somehow emerge as the party's flagbearer. However, for the PDP, there are more than five potential candidates. These are: Atiku Abubakar, Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Sule Lamido, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, among others.
The PDP should be wise enough to be fair and strategic at picking who runs against the incumbent president. Any miscalculation will be calamitous and disastrous for the party's future survival and existence.

Either Atiku or Saraki should be chosen due to their political pedigree and large support base.

Both men are currently enjoying the sympathy of some Nigerians, who felt they were unjustly persecuted and sidelined after the APC rode to power on the back of both men.

No one will choose for the PDP. However, the ball is in their court. The powers-that-be in the party could decide to earn a victory or defeat with the ball depending on how they play it against President Buhari in 2019 presidential election.

President Muhammadu Buhari waving to his supporters recently at Bauchi.

Article written by Oladele Hakeem Olaniyan exclusively for Naijaloveinfo.