By Cosmas Nkeremwem
Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido has said his ambition to contest the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2019 election is in no way threatened by the return to the party of ex-Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who is also a formidable aspirant for the coveted ticket. Atiku, a former chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress recently defected to the opposition PDP, because of what he called irreconcilable differences
Speaking on the sidelines of the elective National Convention of the party, Saturday, he said his first consideration in the coming challenge for the party’s topmost position is its unity and how it can present an acceptable candidate to lead the party to victory in the 2019 poll.
“The presidency of the party is not a big deal. We are friends (Atiku). Our concern is to give Nigeria the best material, the best candidate. It is nothing personal, it is about the PDP family and the aspiration we have for the good of our country”.
The former Jigawa governor who is known to enjoy the support of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, recently wrote the party to signify his desire to contest its presidency in 2018.
When asked what he would do should he fail to clinch the party’s ticket, he answered that he would accept the outcome, “just to ensure the party is united and strong enough to regain power”.
