No fewer than four presidential aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, say they will accept a consensus arrangement to position the party for victory in 2023.
Gatekeepers News reports that the aspirants made the disclosure while briefing journalists on the outcome of their visit to Governor of Abia State, Southeast Nigeria, Okezie Ikpeazu, in his Umuobiakwa country home in Obingwa Local Government Area (LGA).
The aspirants included Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
The former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, while speaking on behalf of other aspirants, said the decision was informed by their determination to make Nigeria better.
He said that the lives and welfare of Nigerians were more important than the individual ambition of every aspirant.
Saraki said that they were in Abia to seek the governor’s support to ensure that the consensus arrangement would work so that PDP would win the general elections.
He further said that Mr Ikpeazu’s encouraging words had inspired and further motivated them to move forward.
Saraki said that this was the first time aspirants would come together on their own to adopt a consensus arrangement.
He said that although the initiative was a tough challenge, they were convinced it would make Nigeria work.
He said: “Nigerians are going through hardship and insecurity.
“These are the events that are happening in the country that make some of us to see that we are doing the right thing.
“Let me reassure Nigerians that we are very determined and driven by the determination to make this country work.
“If this is the sacrifice that we will make to turn things around in Nigeria, we want to let Nigerians know that we are willing to make it.”
In his response, Ikpeazu expressed delight over the development, saying that it had rekindled his hope in the emergence of a new Nigeria.
He described the consensus arrangement as “a commendable and altruistic initiative.”
He said it was borne out of the desire to forge an alliance to transform the nation.
He said, “I want to say that you have my commitment and cooperation to move on and I will do my bit to ensure that all of us come together.
“The survival of our country, interest of the poor masses of the country should come before whatever personal agenda we have.
“I am happy that Nigeria has patriots and leaders, who are capable of putting Nigeria first.”
