Barring last-minute change, a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, will announce the appointment of a former governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel to lead his presidential campaign in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Mr Daniel had contested for the position of national chairman of the party in the last convention.
In a document obtained by DAILY NIGERIAN, which Mr Atiku personally signed, the ex-VP announced to members of his team the appointment of Mr Daniel, saying he is “a very positive and welcome addition” to his campaign.
“I am pleased to officially notify you of the appointment of His Excellency, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (“OGD” as he is popularly known), as the Director-General of the Atiku Campaign Organisation,” the document read in part.
“OGD is a former two-term governor of Ogun State, and a foremost engineer, businessman and astute politician. He has vast knowledge of the Nigerian political terrain and has a wide network of contacts and friends all over Nigeria, and these are a few of the assets he will be bringing to our campaign organisation.
“I am in no doubt OGD is a very positive and welcome addition to our campaign and I look forward to working with him as he leads over campaign to victory come February 2019.
“Going forward, OGD as the Director General, has overall responsibility for every aspect of the campaign. This includes mobilization and organizing (delegates and supporters), publicity and communication, finance and expenditure. I am in the process of setting up a separate fund raising committee which will work alongside and complement the campaign finance structure.
“The DG will also have overall responsibility for personnel, resourcing and campaign staffing and any other political or campaign related matters, that I give my delegated authority.
“From now on, my role will be limited to continuing my consultations with the relevant stakeholders in the PDP and in the political landscape as a whole. All campaign or other staff will report to the DG with immediate effect, and all campaign or political matters will also be referred to the DG.
“The DG will report to me directly.”
DAILY NIGERIAN gathered from inside sources that the former vice president will make “grand entry” into the political turf as soon as he publicly unveil Mr Daniel.
