Three well-known individuals have emerged as front-runners in the contest to become the next national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): former Senate President Senator David Mark, former Benue State Governor Senator Gabriel Suswam, and PDP Governors’ Forum Director General Dr. Emmanuel Agb. The party’s October 24 National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting has sparked conjecture over who will earn the top spot. Supporters of Mark’s candidacy include prominent former generals from the military, though it’s unclear if Mark has formally committed to run for the job.
His extensive expertise and leadership within the party have generated curiosity in his possible candidacy. Another strong candidate, Senator Suswam, has stated that, should he be elected, he would like to restore honesty and unity to the party. “Yes, I am in the race to become the next national chairman because I believe that I can unite the party through honest leadership,” Suswam stated in an interview with THISDAY over the weekend. “I promise to make sure that the PDP’s reputation for impunity and other negative traits disappears.” His goal is not a “do-or-die affair,” he continued.
Dr. Emmanuel Agbo, a former PDP deputy national secretary and Benue State party chairman, is another formidable opponent. Having held the position of chairman of the state chairmen in the past, Agbo has the support of several state party officials. Agbo is said to have the support of multiple governors in his capacity as the PDP Governors’ Forum’s current director general. The competition is further intensified by the endorsement of newly elected local government chairmen of the PDP in Benue State for Utaan, a younger candidate with significant support owing to his age and novel approach to party issues. Everyone is watching to see who will steer the PDP into the next phase, and each candidate has a different vision for the party.
