From Victor Nick Gai, Jalingo and David Torough, Makurdi

.Push for No-zoning Arrangement

.Seek Northern Consensus Candidate

Former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, all of whom are presidential aspirants on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) have remained dedicated to their course of evolving a consensus candidate among the aspirants from the north.

The threesome of Saraki, Tambuwal and Mohammed began their mission three weeks ago when they met in Bauchi with Mohammed as their host. Addressing the press after their meeting, Saraki declared that their intention was to bring up a northern consensus presidential candidate and to sell the idea to Atiku.

While it appears that Atiku is unyielding in throwing his hat into the ring, Saraki and company have coalesced into a Unity Forum umbrella upon which they have resolved to traverse the country in a consultative meeting with PDP governors.

Apart from pressing for need for the northern presidential aspirants to produce one formidable candidate, they are spreading the message that zoning out the north and making the party’s presidential ticket and exclusivity of the South would be counter-productive at the polls, given that the game-changing votes in every presidential election circle come from the north.

On Monday the trio visited the Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, to consult him on their missions.

They held private discussions with Ortom in furtherance of their three-prong objectives as well as in the interest of the country.

Saraki, who addressed Ortom on behalf of the team, disclosed that they decided to form a unity team, mainly to enable them reach a consensus among themselves in the days ahead.

He stressed that they took the initiative to work as a team without anybody forcing them to do so, adding that it became necessary because the country was too divided by personal interests.

According to Saraki “I’m here today with my two brothers, the governor of Sokoto State, His Excellency, Aminu Tambuwal and of course, the governor of Bauchi State, His Excellency, Bala Mohammed. We are here today as part of our ongoing consultation of three of us who have shown indication to aspire for presidency under our great party.

“We, on our own about couple of weeks ago felt that in the interest of our party as well in the interest of our great country that we should be able to come together and find a consensus among us.

“Our interest is very little compared to our country’s at this time when it is in its very defining moment. I believe only our party can rescue this country from where it is today and those of us who are aspiring are committed to ensure that we find somebody who will unite us whom we will all support. That’s a better way to unite the party and reduce the rancour in the process.

“To do that, we must also carry along key stakeholders of the party, leaders in the party like you and that’s why we are here today. Three of us alone cannot win and deliver; it is all of us and that’s why we feel that at this very stage of our deliberation, leaders like you must be part of it. That’s why we held a private discussion for you to know that we are very serious about this.

“The seriousness comes from our total belief that it’s for the unity of our party. All of us are eminently qualified to lead this country; it’s about us ensuring that we put the country first and that is why we are here.”

Saraki thanked the Benue State governor for the fruitful discussions they had, noting that “We’re confident and encouraged by your comments that what we are doing is in the best interest of our party and for our country.”

He added that, “Our plan is to see the other colleagues across the country. We’re hoping today to see you and two other governors and also tomorrow some others.

“We are committed on PDP winning. Any of the aspirants is eminently competent to rule this country and lead this country. But whoever that person is, he needs all of us. That is what is priority, not whether Aminu is president or Bala or Wike or Anyim or Waziri; no! It is what will make Nigeria better and we believe it’s the PDP platform.”

Governor Ortom eulogised the trio, describing all of them as eminently qualified to be the president of Nigeria, adding that, “These two leaders (Saraki and Tambuwal), Nigerians can testify that during their time that they did very well and delivered on their mandate, so I’m not surprised today they are coming out for presidency. My brother, Mohammed, who we were colleagues together at the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, he is also eminently qualified and I’am happy.

In continuation, the three on the same day moved to Abuja, where they consulted the Taraba State Governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, who promised to work for the emergence of a credible presidential flag-bearer that could make the return of the PDP to power at the federal level in 2023 a reality.

They met with Gov Ishaku at the Taraba State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.

Gov Ishaku expressed delight that the three aspirants were collaborating to produce a strong presidential candidate for the party and called on leaders of the party to support the initiative.

He said Nigerians of all interests and backgrounds were waiting for the PDP to take over the leadership of the country come 2023 and called on all party members to embrace the initiative being championed by the three aspirants.

Senator Saraki who led the three aspirants on the visit, said they came to consult the governor, being one of the most respected elders and a critical stakeholder of the party.

He said the three of them were working together on a common front in order to ensure the party produced a candidate without rancour.