Atiku, Wike, Saraki, 11 others know fate today as PDP primary begins

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, his Sokoto State counterpart, Aminu Tambuwal, and a former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, are among the frontline presidential aspirants will contest the primary of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party today (Saturday).

Others are Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State; his Bauchi State counterpart, Bala Mohammed; a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; a former Senate President, Pius Anyim; Diana Teriela, the only woman, media mogul Dele Momodu, a pharmacist Sam Ohuabunwa; Charles Ugwu and Chikwendu Kalu.

Former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, who had been screened to participate in the primary, has since defected to the Labour Party.

former FSB Managing Director Muhammed Hayatu-Deen also stepped down hours before the primaries.

The election is likely going to be a contest between Atiku, Saraki Tambuwal and Wike, according to feelers as they are frontrunners.

Chairman of the PDP National Convention Organising Committee, Senator David Mark, assured members of the party that arrangements had been made for a hitch-free exercise.

He spoke while addressing members of the committee in Abuja on Friday.

He also vowed that the exercise would be smooth and transparent.

Mark told members of the committee, “You must be absolutely transparent. If you have any interest or bias for any of the aspirants, you can excuse yourself from this assignment.

“We are prepared for the exercise; virtually all our delegates have arrived Abuja. The PDP has an array of eminently qualified persons to rule Nigeria. We carried out due diligence during our screening. I am confident that whoever emerges from the convention will reflect the wishes of our party.”