6 Reasons PDP Should Give Ahmed Makarfi Presidential Ticket For 2019

6 Reasons PDP Should Give Ahmed Makarfi  Presidential Ticket For 2019

The National Secretary of Nigeria Youth Project and National Coordinator of PDP National Youth League, Hon. Inioribo Tamunotonye has given 6 reasons why Ahmed Markafi should be given the PDP Presidential ticket for 2019.

Read excerpts below as shared:

1. Makarfi Enjoys Goodwill of Northern Nigeria 
In Kaduna state and the entire northern Nigeria, there is no single individual today that enjoys the goodwill more than Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

The minority northern Christians love him for displaying rare leadership that is lacking among Nigeria's elites by implementing policies and making utterances that unify and not those that further divide. The Muslims love him for displaying true Islamic virtue despite the fact that he isn't a vocal proponent of Shari'a like other hypocritical leaders. 

Makarfi equally enjoys respect of northern elite, Christan association, non indigenous people and those in the middle belt for his consistent display of brotherly love and unity as Governor and Senator. As Senator, he backed the agitation for the creation of Gurara state for people of Southern Kaduna despite the fact that he is from Northern Senatorial district. No wonder he is so loved by the people.

2. Makarfi Is Honest, The Real "Mai Gaskyya"

It is rare in this part of the world to find a man or woman that held political positions of Governor and influential Senator for straight sixteen years without a SINGLE indictment for corruption. Ahmed Makarfi showed this rare trait that not even his traducers could pin him with anything. He is the only PDP Presidential Aspirant without indictment of graft as Governor, Senator, Chairman Senate Account Committee and former National Chairman, all within this present 4th republic. 

Nigerians are aware that President Muhammadu Buhari, the false "mai Gaskyya", could not live up to the incorruptible garment worn on him during his campaign in 2015, he has proven to be false with the incessant corruption by his government and officers close to him, and his shielding of alleged corrupt allies. 

3. Makarfi Is Sellable In Southwest

Come 2019 southwest, the zone of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who many see as a disappointment, will again be the golden bride. The zone is reputed to be the most critical of candidates when it comes to election- all thanks to their political sophistication.

Southwestern voting pattern is usually unpredictably predictable. They consider antecedents of aspirants, performance of incumbents and reputation of candidates before deciding on their vote. They speak less and act more.

In 2011 they rewarded Goodluck Jonathan who came with his promise of Fresh Air but punished PDP in states and National Assembly elections, in 2014 they punished incumbent Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti but rewarded incumbent Rauf Aregbesola in Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial poll respectively. They punished Goodluck Jonathan and PDP in 2015 Presidential election in favor of "change" of Muhammadu Buhari but with the disappointing performance of President Buhari, it is only fair that PDP present an aspirant that has integrity, reputation, nonreligious/nontribal posture and one with excellent antecedent to these sophisticated people as the best alternative. Without a single corruption indictment from ANY quarters (not even one of his fiery successor and incumbent Nasir Elrufai), without allegations of religious or ethnic bias at any time, with a calm but non controversial disposition, and with reputable leadership achievements and experience, Senator Ahmed Makarfi perfectly fits the bill.

4. Makarfi Is Sellable/Acceptable In Southeast And Southsouth* 

People of the southeast geopolitical zone have two unique needs; "a favorable and enabling environment to live and Operate their business" and "sense of belonging as equal partner in the Nigeria project". Absence of both by successive administration led to the call for secession.

Senator Makarfi has the reputation of providing favorable environment for people irrespective of ethnic group or religion, he also believes every stakeholder is key in the Nigeria project, these he displayed in all public positions he held in terms of appointment and service delivery. The people of Kaduna state and Middlebelt could testify to this. 

With these credentials it is very easy for the people of the southeast, having unanimously rejected president Buhari who called them 5% and has been trying to bully them with false 2023 presidency, to align with Makarfi's project knowing that their interests as a group is well protected. 

While it is true that Southeast is a stronghold of PDP, it is only appropriate to give them a President that will carry them along in leadership and make them feel the pride of being Nigerians, which is lacking at present.

For the SouthSouth, Makarfi doesn't have to campaign as the people know him and remember him for his impeccable deeds.

5. Makarfi Captained The Resurgent PDP, Nigeria Deserve A Resurgence:
Nigerians and PDP members will agree that it took the efforts and leadership of Senator Ahmed Makarfi to ensure the non collapse of PDP even when it appeared all hope was lost. He stood firm, showed willingness to give up his position as National Chairman for the sake of the party only if then factional Chairman Ali Modu Sheriff would allow peace deal. He stood firm to see PDP bounce back even when all Governors under the party platform (including a certain aspirant) were playing hide and seek game save Governors Nyesom Wike and Ayo Fayose of Rivers and Ekiti states respectively. Makarfi maintained leadership and calm even after the setback from court of Appeal that declared him illegal, a pronouncement that even led some party chieftains (yours faithfully included) to seek a fresh alternative until the Supreme court right the wrong. He displayed rare leadership by extending hands of fellowship to Sheriff's group and prevailed on those that had left to return "home", which led to return of people, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Rasheed Ladoja, Gbenga Daniel and others.

Makarfi has earned the trusts of party members by not betraying the party like Sheriff did (due to his inordinate ambition), he deserve the ticket of the party so as to put Nigeria back on the pedestal of greatness to make our country great again.

6. Makarfi Possess Strong Electoral Value 
In 1998 he won the Governorship election of Kaduna state by landslide. In 2003 he triumphed over Buhari backed Suleiman Hunkuyi despite the propaganda employed against him by Buharists that he was unfair to 'Muslims' and theyy even tagged him "Pastor Makarfi" just because he accommodated all religions. In 2007 he triumphed over Buhari backed ANPP candidate in the Senatorial election, delivered his Kaduna state to PDP in both Presidential and Gubernatorial elections of that year and in favor of Umaru Yar'adua and Namadi Sambo respectively. In 2011 he delivered Kaduna north senatorial zone and entire Kaduna state to Goodluck Jonathan and late Patrick Yokowa in the then Presidential and Governorship election, and retained his own Senatorial seat. 

However, in 2015, after THREE straight victory over Buhari and his candidates, he lost for the first time due to no fault of his but the overgrown animosity against Goodluck Jonathan, the PDP and then incumbent Ramalan Yero after the people of Kaduna decided to give Buhari and his gang a trial, which they now regret. 

It is instructive to note that Makarfi was begged by the All Progressive Congress to abandon PDP and Jonathan and make a switch like most of his colleagues had done but he declined. He believed and still believe that power comes from God. 

He lost the Senate but God rewarded him the National Chairmanship of PDP, the largest party in Nigeria, where he served diligently. Nigerians need such a man for the Presidency because with Makarfi, we are assured that the country won't be betrayed

Who else could match these qualities? 



Written by:
Hon. Inioribo Tamunotonye (@Tonyebarcanista), the National Secretary of Nigeria Youth Project and National Coordinator of PDP National Youth League.
Tonyebarcanista@gmail.com




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