2023: Real battle set to commence as Oyinlola, Makinde tipped to lead Atiku’s campaign

Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a former governor of Osun state and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state are among the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) being considered as the director-general of the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation, The Punch reports.

Telescope.ng gathered that this is just as the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) resolved to meet Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state with a view to putting an end to the crisis that emanated from the decision of Atiku not to pick the governor as his running mate.

According to the newspaper, the trouble Atiku’s campaign is having with Wike is the major cause of the delay in inaugurating the presidential campaign council.

A chieftain of the PDP told The Punch that the plan is to pick a campaign manager from the southwest since this is the region that is considered as the strongest base of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The chieftain, who wished to remain anonymous because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said, “Usually, when running a presidential campaign, it is always good to pick a campaign manager from the region that your major opponent is from.

He said: “When Buhari was running against Jonathan in 2015, he picked Amaechi as his campaign DG. Amaechi was from the Niger Delta just like Jonathan. Similarly, Jonathan picked Ahmadu Ali, who is from the north, as his campaign DG.

“So, the PDP is also considering the southwest for this strategic assignment. You know Atiku won Ondo and Oyo in 2019. Now, Osun is PDP territory as well.”

When asked why Oyinlola and Makinde were being considered, the chieftain said these two had the temperament for the job.

He, however, said Oyinlola was more likely to get it barring any unexpected development.

The chieftain added: “Oyinlola is very experienced. He understands Lagos politics as well having served as military governor. Makinde will also be running for tough governorship re-election and may be too busy to focus on Atiku’s campaign.

“Also, we are waiting for Wike’s input. Wike may probably prefer Makinde because they are close. But these are the two main options.”