Saraki, Atiku Display Negotiation Skills At PDP National Convention

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senate President Bukola Saraki and others displayed their negotiation skills at the ongoing national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

THE WHISTLER gathered that some of the over 3,000 delegates who are to decide who emerges the presidential flagbearer of PDP in 2019 have received as high as $12, 000 each from different presidential aspirants of the major opposition political party between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Asides Atiku and Saraki, the other aspirants who are taking part in the primary are Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal; Governor of Gombe State, Ibrahim Dankwambo; a former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso; a former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa.

Others are former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark; a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Alhaji Tanimu Turaki (SAN) and a former Governor of Plateau State, Senator Jona Jang.

It was survival of the fittest as the diffent aspirants made pitches to the delegates all through the night in their individual bids to clinch the opposition party’s presidential ticket.

Displaying his negotiation skills, Atiku urged the delegates to vote him as he promised to create jobs for citizens of the country if given the opportunity.

The former Vice President said, “Four years ago, the people of Nigeria voted for change; today they are not happy with the change they received; government has become less transparent.

”I ask for your support in picking the PDP ticket; together we can truly get Nigeria working again.”

On his part, Senate President Saraki promised to end poverty if elected president.

He said,” Unfortunately poverty does not know party, ethnicity or religion.

“If you want a 21st century leader, you will vote for me. A vote for me is a vote for the youth, for inclusive governance,” said the Senate President.

Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, on his part, said “I am highly experienced to lead Nigeria as a president”.

Whoever emerges the presidential standard bearer of the PDP will be contending majorly against President Muhammadu Buhari who has emerged unopposed as the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Meanwhile, THE WHISTLER reported earlier that pressure was being mounted on PDP governors and some delegates to support Atiku instead of Tambuwal.