Following the exit of former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi from the PDP, and the growing popularity of former Governor of Kano State, Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso, a chieftain of the PDP has said they are equally strong candidates and will ruffle feathers in the 2023 Presidential election.
Obi left the PDP and later declared his membership of the Labour Party. He was declared the party’s Presidential candidate earlier on Monday after Prof. Pat automotive stepped down for him.
Kwankwaso on his part has a strong movement called the Kwankwasiya and is spearheading the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) as its Presidential candidate.
Kassim Afegbua, a member of the PDP said both politicians and former members of the PDP must be strongly considered for different reasons.
He said Obi has gone about his publicity methodically and has focused on a vibrant part of the polity, the youths. This has given him a push and has improved his popularity according to Afegbua.
“Peter Obi cannot be underrated. You see him trending everyday on Twitter and Facebook and he has the youths leaning towards his candidacy.
“Kwankwaso has a strong movement and like Obi, is no pushover,” he said on News Central TV.
Afegbua stated that the ruling APC and the main opposition, the PDP will have their hands full from both candidates as they pose major threats to their popularity.
He said Obi, being a South Easterner will cause a depletion of votes from the region while Kwankwaso is popular in his native, Kano State which is one of the most voter-concentrated states in the country and one that has proven crucial in previous elections.
“I’m Standing By My Word On Atiku” – Afegbua
Some weeks ago, Afegbua told News Central TV that he will work openly for the APC if Atiku Abubakar emerges the Presidential candidate of the PDP.
Atiku defeated Nyesom Wike and others on Saturday to emerge the party’s flagbearer and Afegbua said nothing can change his stance.
He said Atiku’s candidacy doesn’t look sellable as he struggled to deliver result in the North East in 2019 and doesn’t project national inclusion and equity.
Wike polled 237 votes at the election and Afegbua said he only lost to manipulation, conspiracy and subterfuge and proved a strong aspirant despite the verbal onslaught against his aspiration.