2023 Presidential race: An assessment of leading aspirants’ chances at primaries
By Seth Akande
Perhaps the reason for so much attention ahead of the 2023 general elections is Nigerians waiting for the messiah to come in 2023. Political parties in Nigeria are currently holding primary elections as eligible party members or delegates are expected to participate in direct or indirect primary elections for the nomination of party candidates for state and federal elected positions.
The primary elections cycle ends on June 3, well ahead of the official commencement of the presidential election. Different aspirants including currently elected sitting Officials and Ministers from different political parties have declared their intentions to become the number one citizen and steer the wheel of the country for another four years.
Nigerian NewsDirect takes an in depth look at some prominent aspirants’ chances to win their parties’ battles.
Nyesom Wike
Ezenwo Nyesom CON is the current Governor of Rivers State and one of the most influential Governors in Nigeria. He is very popular in his state and one of the key forces of the PDP in Nigeria. Wike is highly revered in Rivers following his administration’s infrastructural milestones in the oil-rich state. Wike is sure to lead the pack of other contestants within the Party’s Southern Caucus of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Also known as Mr Confidence, Wike has been a fierce critic of the present administration over the years. Wike sees himself as the one with the capacity to remove the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from power at the federal level.
One of his major albatrosses, is what some critics termed as being foul mouthed as seen in some of the videos being circulated on social media. Other things that might work is in his ability to scurry support from the Northern Caucus. Wike also says things straight without fear which has seen him pick many adversaries with some of his colleagues and his popular catchphrase “as e dey sweet us, e go dey pain dem….”
Rotimi Amaechi
The erstwhile Rivers State Governor and Minister of transportation Rotimi Amaechi declared his intention to contest for president in 2023 under the All Progressive Congress (APC). Amaechi served as Governor of Rivers state twice, and before that as a speaker of the River states House or Assembly.
Amaechi made the declaration known in April, and just this month, he tendered his resignation letter to president Muhammadu Buhari who gave the directive stating that all appointed officials in line with the constitution must resign in their quest to pursue the number one seat in the country.
His declaration might have come as a surprise to some people but Ameachi in his reply said but he believed his over 23 years of service has equipped him enough to solve the country’s problems and contribute to her development.
His intertribal network will work for him at the primary. However, many of his critics within the party believed that the ruling party’s presidential candidate would go to a candidate who had not won his state for the party. Since Amaechi left power, the State has been a firm grip of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Will he be able to convince the Delegates otherwise? Only time will tell.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu
When you see the cap with the 8-like logo, Jagaban of Borgu comes readily to mind. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a founding member and National leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC). If we considered the pedigree of his endorsement left and right and centre, he remains the man to beat. For instance, his supporters’ mandate song rent the air at every turn of events they get. His legacies and how Lagos has tremendously transformed is advantageous to his “lifetime ambition.”
With so much national presence, there is a lot of attention geared towards him under the APC. The National Leader has said he is not joking about his presidential ambition, adding that the nation needs a transformational leader like him to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
In the quest to flag his party’s emblem for the forthcoming presidential election, he has been on the move, right from consulting to meeting with delegates of the party. Tinubu has over the years built contacts, networked and highly respected by his party, with a large number of connections, followership and finance, he remains the one to beat. Some Party members have gone the length to say he deserves to be the next president of the country for his records over the years.
Although with so much experience, maybe the coconut head generation are not satisfied because they believe he is old, and politics need younger hands to steer the affairs of this country. Questions have been raised concerning his health, fitness and alertness as youth feel they need someone very active and alert for the country.
Would all these experiences prove a point to a man who sees the number one seat as a life-long ambition? Would the dynamics of the youth who want someone younger come into play?
Atiku Abubakar
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared once again his intention to run for the office of Nigeria president,valso promising to fix Nigeria. The declaration marked the sixth time Atiku will be campaigning for president.
The PDP 2019 presidential candidate lost to Muhammadu Buhari who was voted into office for a second term.
The Former Vice-President has said he has what it takes to win the presidency in the 2023 general election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“This time around is different, our journey will not end at the poll, we will get to work and rescue Nigeria. I invite every Nigerian to join me in this mission to save our dear country.
“Under my presidency, I want to focus on five key areas, the unity of Nigeria, security, economy, education and devolving more resources and powers to the federating units,” Atiku said.
People have suggested he should give up ambition after several times of contesting without victory. Atiku seems to be the name that rings bells in the room of the PDP.
As both political parties go through the rigour to present their presidential candidates for the 2023 elections this weekend, Nigerians remain glued to all the events as they unfold.
Yemi Osinbajo
He’s the current Vice President of the Federal Government. He was the Former Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State. He is one of the finest oratory politicians in Nigeria. Unconfirmed reports had it that it was Nola Ahmed Tinubu who nominated him. This is one reason why many found him treacherous and loyal. Like he always says, his past years at the presidency have endeared to be loved and revered by many Nigerians. However, many Nigerians still question his role in this administration. They believe Osinbajo also contributed to what has become of the country’s economy. Without the control of the party’s structures, pundits’ fingers are crossed to see who will emerge victorious.
