One of the most important tasks prior to former vice president Atiku Abubakar after becoming the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Celebration (PDP) is the choice of a running mate as this crucial choice might make or mar his dreams of ending up being Nigeria’s president in 2019.
There are speculations that the PDP candidate is considering the southeast and the southwest for his option of a running mate.
As the nation awaits the announcement of his running mate, here are 5 key things Atiku ought to put into consideration prior to picking a running mate.
Atiku delivering acceptance speech after emerging the presidential candidate of the PDP at the national convention in Port Harcourt.
Source: Facebook
1. Tribe/geopolitical zone
Though there is no constitutional clause dictating where the choice of a running mate should come from, it is politically important that Atiku picks a running mate who is not from his geopolitical zone and of the same tribe with him. The two zones the PDP candidate should be looking at now are the southeast and the southwest.
2. Gender
In the history of Nigeria, no woman has ever risen to the position of vice president despite promises by the major political parties to be gender inclusive.
If Atiku picks a woman as his running mate, he will be the first presidential candidate to do so in the history of Nigerian politics. This, undoubtedly, will boost his chances among the womenfolk.
3. The PDP’s position
Despite leaving the PDP for the APC in the buildup to the 2015 elections, the opposition party not only welcomed back Atiku to its fold but provided a level-playing ground that paved way for his emergence as the presidential candidate. Thus, it is m0rally-binding on him to listen to the suggestions of the party as far as the decision to pick an appropriate running mate is concerned.
4. Religion
Nigeria as a country is still much divided along the religious lines as there are always apprehensions about a certain religious group trying to alienate the other. Since Atiku is a Muslim by religion, the politically correct option for him is a Christian running mate.
5. Age
The Nigerian youths have become very politically-conscious. The level of political influence the youths now wield in the country can be seen in the way the Not-Too-Young-To-Run bill was vigorously pursued and achieved. If Atiku wants to gain popularity among the youths, choosing a running mate among them won’t be a bad idea.
The technocrats are, former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Charles Soludo; former minister of agriculture and rural development, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina; and former managing director of Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON), Chike Obi.
It was gathered that the politicians being considered for the number two position are, former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi, and the deputy Senate president, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.
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