.…Considering David Mark as PDP National Chairman
In a deft move to unseat President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 poll, the trio of former Nigerian leaders, Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, AbdulSalami Abubakar and top military brass are reportedly looking in the direction of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar to come to the rescue of the country.
Also on the list of the power brokers who met behind closed doors in Minna last weekend is the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 poll, Mr. Peter Obi.
The Generals, who are concerned over the imminent collapse of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have launched an assault on the former governor of Rivers State Nyesom Wike and his allies to save the party from extinction.
Recall that the three influential former leaders and former National Security Adviser (NSA), General Aliyu Gusau (rtd) met in Minna Niger State recently to strategise on how to take over the party.
According to a source privy to the details of the meeting, the top retired Generals’ meeting had two major agendas, which were to rescue the party’s structures from Wike and search for a suitable presidential candidate that will defeat the incumbent President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The source hinted that the powerful retired Generals were worried about the way and manner the affairs of the PDP were being run at the risk of Nigeria becoming a one-Party State, and therefore decided to come together with a view to charting a way forward for the Party.
The former military rulers, who were said to be dissatisfied by President Tinubu style of leadership, are said to be already shopping for a credible presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 poll.
Recall that the trio spearheaded the formation of the PDP in 1998. To this end, they have contacted former Senate President David Mark aimed at taking over the chairmanship of the PDP from Umaru Iliya Damagun, who is an ally of the FCT Minister.
It was gathered that when David Mark who is on vacation in the United States of America (USA) was first contacted, he declined to accept the Herculean task of rescuing the PDP from going into extinction. However, the Benue-born former Senate President and military Governor of Niger State was said to have eventually yielded to the request of Gen Babangid, reputed to be his long-time godfather and benefactor.
“The Generals at the Minna meeting want David Mark to be at the helm of affairs of the PDP while they shop for the right presidential candidate that would defeat Tinubu hands down in 2027”, the source stressed.
It was gathered that at the Generals rooted for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to fly the Party’s flag, while Obasanjo reportedly canvassed support for the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), during the 2023 election, Peter Obi.
