The Peoples Democratic Party is currently considering a former Governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola; and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to head the campaign team of its Presidential Candidate for the 2023 General elections, Atiku Abubakar.
Sources within the PDP told The PUNCH on Wednesday that the trouble Atiku’s campaign is having with Wike is the major cause of the delay in inaugurating the presidential campaign council.
It would be recalled that the Party is currently making moves to putting an end to the crisis that emanated from the decision of Atiku not to pick the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike as his running mate.
A chieftain of the Party said that plan is to pick a campaign manager from the South-West since this is the region that is considered as the strongest base of the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.
The chieftain, who wished to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said, “Usually, when running a presidential campaign, it is always good to pick a campaign manager from the region that your major opponent is from.
“When Buhari was running against Jonathan in 2015, he picked Amaechi as his campaign DG. Amaechi was from the Niger Delta just like Jonathan. Similarly, Jonathan picked Ahmadu Ali, who is from the North, as his campaign DG.
“So, the PDP is also considering the South-West for this strategic assignment. You know Atiku won Ondo and Oyo in 2019. Now, Osun is PDP territory as well.”
When asked why Oyinlola and Makinde were being considered, the chieftain said these two had the temperament for the job.
He, however, said Oyinlola was more likely to get it barring any unexpected development.
“Oyinlola is very experienced. He understands Lagos politics as well having served as military governor. Makinde will also be running for a tough governorship re-election and may be too busy to focus on Atiku’s campaign.
“Also, we are waiting for Wike’s input. Wike may probably prefer Makinde because they are close. But these are the two main options,” the chieftain added.
