Nigerians React As PDP Shuts Down Port Harcourt For National Convention

All seems set for the 2018 special convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Port Harcourt, where the major opposition political party will emerge with its presidential candidate ahead of the 2019 election in February.

The PDP convention is expected to commence any moment from now as all the presidential aspirants have arrived the city of Port Harcourt where their fate would be decided by over four thousand delegates who have equally arrived the city in their numbers.

At the end of the convention, one out of twelve presidential aspirants would emerge the standard bearer of the opposition PDP. The elected candidate would be running majorly against President Muhammadu Buhari of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019.

The 12 candidates are: Atiku Abubakar, Ahmed Makarfi, Aminu Tambuwal, Datti Baba-Ahmed, Attahiru Bafarawa, Sule Lamido, Bukola Saraki, Sule Lamido, David Mark, Jonah Jang, KabiruTuraki and Rabi Kwankwaso.

Meanwhile, thousands of Nigerians who are monitoring the event from their various destinations are expressing different views on Twitter.

Below are some of their opinions as captured by THE WHISTLER on Twitter.

The winner that will emerge at the #PDPConventionPHC must be strong enough to challenge President Buhari. He must receive support from other contestants no matter the outcome of today's result.

#PDPPresidentialPrimary

— Chinedu Kachi Memeh™?? (@ChineduMemeh) October 6, 2018

Forget any other narrative right now about who wins at #PDPConventionPHC. Just agree first that any one that emerges, is better that Buhari. Let's agree on that first.

— Yours sincerely, Albino. (@AgoruaGentle) October 6, 2018

UPDATE:

As at 2:00pm, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has met with 19 State delegations in the last 12hours. More previously undecided delegates have started pledging their support. #PDPConventionPHC

— 9jasavage.✝✝??#TeamKaptionThis (@_iamRemy_) October 6, 2018

This Saturday will be a super saturday in the annal political history of Nigeria. #PDPConventionPHC #APCNationalConvention #PDPConvention

— Mustapha Maina Umar (@MustaphaMainaUm) October 6, 2018

#PDPConventionPHC if giving me the chance, I will be fine with #PeterObi as my running mate come 2019 because our dear country Nigeria, need energetic and youthful team to move Nigerians technologically.#PDPpresidentialPrimaries #PDPConvention #PDPConventionPH pic.twitter.com/FjH8GaDBSn

— SARAKI-FOR-PRESIDENT (@Saraki4AsoRock) October 6, 2018

Who ever the flag bearer would be, let it be someone with the capacity to give the ruling party run for their money. I don't want a walk over please ??#PDPConventionPHC #PDPpresidentialPrimaries

— The Stig (@NigerianStig) October 6, 2018

I don't hear the name @GEJonathan around this. What is going on with you sir?#PDPPresidentialPrimary #PDPConventionPHC

— Umar Mikail (@UmarMikail) October 6, 2018

This is not abt noise, this is abt Nigeria &to take Nigeria back from poverty, hunger &killings under the watch of leaders that are rigid at heart, A vote by each delegate for @bukolasaraki means a vote to revive Nigeria because Saraki is their nightmare #PDPConventionPHC pic.twitter.com/VuL70TJYT4

— I am Baba Idris (@babaidris090) October 6, 2018

Dear @GovWike,

Pls don't make us experience this again tomorrow. Pls, my knees on ground !#PDPConventionPHC #PDPPrimaries2018

— Terry Abdul-Kareem Z (@TZekeri) October 6, 2018

If any of @AWTambuwal or @RMKwankwaso wins, we will need @bukolasaraki to work in the NC & @atiku to work in the NE.

By & large what we need is to manage effectively the bad blood or acrimony that may arise after the #PDPConventionPHC today.

— Lordbishop (@realDewoye) October 6, 2018

If @atiku wins, we will the need the brain & organisational skills of @bukolasaraki .@AWTambuwal & @RMKwankwaso must also help mobilise votes from the NW & neutralise @MBuhari #PDPConventionPHC

— Lordbishop (@realDewoye) October 6, 2018

If @bukolasaraki wins & i really wish it, we will need the support of @AWTambuwal & @RMKwankwaso to get the votes in the NW. @atiku 's financial war chest will also come in handy.

#PDPConventionPHC

— Lordbishop (@realDewoye) October 6, 2018

I await the aftermath… Today will decide the 2019 General Elections.#PDPConventionPHC

— Tinubu's Apprentice (@MMDAfegbua) October 6, 2018

Looking at the recent yearning of Nigerians for a Younger president Atiku will obviously be at a disadvantage. Saraki has shown himself to be a man of Activity which is a sharp contrast to what we currently have in @MBuhari #nottooyoungtorun #pdpconventionphc https://t.co/l371EVoHev

— donkorleonne (@donkorleonne1) October 6, 2018

We need people that can speak up and do the right thing irrespective of party affiliation and sentiments. #IamwithBukolaSaraki #GrowNigeria #PDPConventionPHC#PDPPresidentialPrimary pic.twitter.com/NoOvxjjIFX

— Your Helper ?? (@AkureInformant) October 6, 2018

And only @atiku can fix that because #AtikuIsTheAnswer to all Nigeria's problems.
I plead to all our delegates @ #PDPConventionPHC to support Atiku @ #PDPPresidentialPrimary today because #AtikubestforPDP N he wil gv us #ABETTERNIGERIA. Support Atiku N #LetsGetNigeriaWorkingAgain https://t.co/DjsXYzdETk

— Emirek Rebirth (@emirekritzy1) October 6, 2018

The odds are looking to be in Saraki's favour. All is well that ends well, and this primaries must end well. #PDPConventionPHC

— Mitchayy (@mitchthemeech) October 6, 2018

As one of my friends said “Delegates are the new Alhajis in town” This is how #PDP roll…ATIKU has started the madness again!!! ????????#PDPConventionPHC #PDPPresidentialPrimary pic.twitter.com/TqACIypc2M

— SABITU DANBALA AHMED (@danbalasb2) October 6, 2018

dear #pdpconventionphc delegates, there is only but one lifeline left for the liberation of OUR NATION. That one lifeline is in your hands. My prayer is that you will hand it over to that ONE MAN who will lead us all in the battle front come 2019. LET'S DO IT

— Justice Eneyo (@decimols) October 6, 2018

Is APC Doing Anything Today? Lol

Nigerians Are Just Focused On #PDPConventionPHC

— D® EFFA™ (@effalixumab) October 6, 2018

UPDATE: Accreditation of delegates still ongoing at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt #GrowNigeria #PDPConventionPHC pic.twitter.com/SqHMgzQZOj

— Real_Omo_Ijebu?? (@DanElesho) October 6, 2018

All candidates like most elections held in Nigeria, didn't square up in a public debate. I'm concerned about this. It's not @atiku or @bukolasaraki being young. It is rather about respecting Nigerians by showing up in a public debate.#PDPConventionPHC #PDPPresidentialPrimary

— Chinedu Kachi Memeh™?? (@ChineduMemeh) October 6, 2018

UPDATE:

As at 2:00pm, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has met with 19 State delegations in the last 12hours. More previously undecided delegates have started pledging their support. #PDPConventionPHC pic.twitter.com/POIuCgPA0z

— I am Baba Idris (@babaidris090) October 6, 2018