Barring any last minute change of decision, PDP will tomorrow hold its national convention in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, where delegates will elect the party’s 2019 presidential candidate.

Those jostling for the ticket include a former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, a former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, a former Governor of Kaduna State, Ahmed Makarfi, and a former Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.

Others are a former Senate President, David Mark, a former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, a former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang, Founder of Baze University, Sen. Datti Baba-Ahmed and Mr. Stanley Osifo.

Sources told Daily Trust yesterday that there was tension in the PDP as different camps were routing for different aspirants based on different interests.

Intrigues and scheming are reportedly playing out among members of the National Working Committee (NWC), Board of Trustees (BoT), National Assembly Caucus, PDP Governors Forum, PDP ex-Ministers Forum and other organs.

The Sen. Walid Jibrin-led BoT tried to come up with a consensus candidate but failed. The organ did not also succeed in trimming the number, with sources saying all the aspirants insist on testing their popularity.

“But one thing all the party organs believe in is the desire to field an untainted presidential candidate that would give President Muhammadu Buhari a good fight,” one of the sources said.

Another source said they also wanted someone who would have immunity till May 29, 2019.

According to Daily Trust, some aspirants will likely step down for others in Port Harcourt before the primary begins.

•Excerpted from Daily Trust report

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