2023: Pressure mounts on Kwankwaso to step down for Atiku � Source

Ahead of the forthcoming general elections, some leaders in the North are reportedly making moves to ensure that the region presents a consensus presidential candidate.

According to sources in the know, many leaders in the North are favourably disposed to the candidature of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who is the candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

�Our people have resolved to adopt a consensus candidate for 2023, and the person they have picked is former vice-president Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the PDP�, the source, who pleaded anonymity, said.

The source, who is a prominent member of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), also stated that prominent leaders in the North have been mounting pressure on the Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, to drop his bid for the Adamawa State-born former VP.

�I can tell you that our leaders in the North have commenced moves to pressurise Senator Kwankwaso to drop his presidential bid for Atiku Abubakar in the interest of our people,� the source said. Kwankwaso has been bombarded with calls and visitations from prominent leaders in the North to drop his bid for Waziri (Atiku�s traditional title) but he (Kwankwaso) has remained adamant�, said the source within the NNPP.

According to the source, Kwankwaso�s refusal might not be unconnected to the circumstances that led to his exit from the PDP, which people close to him said was very unpalatable.

“It would be difficult for Madugu to support the PDP because of the way some people close to Atiku treated him when he was there, so such possibility is very remote,� the source stated.

When prodded to be more categorical on the options opened to the former minister”, the source said, �I think even if he drops his bid, the only person Kwankwaso would back is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu�.

However, according to findings within the Kwankwaso camp, the former Kano State governor has remained adamant to the pressures being mounted at him, with a vow to go ahead with his bid.