Political commentator Dan Ulasi has revisited the events surrounding the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential primary in 2022, recalling how former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal abandoned his bid for the party’s presidential ticket and threw his support behind former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Ulasi spoke during an interview with AIT News, while analysing the political developments likely to shape the 2027 general elections.
In his assessment, the political commentator reflected on the internal contest within the PDP ahead of the 2023 presidential election and recalled the unexpected turn of events at the party’s convention venue, Eagle Square, Abuja.
According to him, Tambuwal was preparing to formally address delegates and declare his intention to contest for the PDP presidential ticket when the arrival of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike reportedly changed the atmosphere at the venue.
Ulasi said Wike’s entrance was met with loud excitement from delegates, creating a charged environment as the presidential aspirants continued their final preparations for the contest.
He explained that Tambuwal subsequently stepped aside for a brief discussion with some individuals before returning to the podium.
Rather than proceeding with his planned declaration, Tambuwal announced that he would no longer participate in the presidential race. He then appealed to northern delegates to support Atiku.
“When Wike entered the field, the whole place erupted and Tambuwal, who had heeded to make a speech announcing his candidature for the election, had a meeting with one or two persons and came back, took the microphone from the MC of the occasion and said he was no longer running and asked all northern delegates to vote for Atiku Abubakar,” Ulasi said.
Tambuwal’s decision was one of the notable moments of the PDP’s 2022 presidential primary, which featured several prominent politicians competing for the party’s ticket.
Atiku eventually emerged as the PDP’s presidential candidate after securing the majority of votes at the convention. Wike, who also contested the primary, finished second.
The outcome subsequently shaped the internal dynamics of the opposition party, particularly following disagreements between Atiku and Wike over the composition and direction of the party’s campaign structure ahead of the 2023 election.
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