2019: PDP stakeholders beg Makarfi to contest for presidency

The Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has advised Sen. Ahmed Makarfi to contest for the presidency in 2019.

The stakeholders, in a major re-grouping of the party after the 2015 elections, described the former Kaduna governor as the “best material” for the nation’s top job.

Former Kaduna governor Ramalan Yero, in an address at the meeting, said that the PDP was proud of Makarfi’s performance during its trying period, when he served as the chairman of its National Caretaker Committee.

He said that Makarfi’s ability to organise a successful National Convention was also a proof that he was a good manager of situations.

“Clearly, Makarfi is the best man for the top job after successfully leading the party out of the crises that almost confined it to the dust bins of history,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yero later called for a voice endorsement and received a thunderous support for the former governor.

Earlier, the PDP Chairman in the State, Mr Hassan Hyat, in his speech, said that the meeting was convened to share opinions and discuss strategies toward a successful outing in 2019.

Hyat said that he was impressed with the turnout of stakeholders, especially women, who came from all over the state to attend the meeting.

He expressed optimism that the party would soon regain its grounds ahead of the 2019 polls.

According to NAN, if Makarfi agrees to contest, he would slug it out with many others that had indicated interest in the PDP ticket.

Among the contenders are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Jigawa governor Sule Lamido and his Kano counterpart, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau.