Doyin Okupe has reiterated that Buhari is the most popular northern politician currently alive.
Doyin Okupe
The former Senior Special Assistant to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe, has described President Muhammadu Buhari as the most popular norther politician and leader alive.
Okupe, in his Facebook account on Sunday was reacting to the argument that the People's Democratic Party (PDP) would be strengthened if its chairmanship was zoned to the north.
The former presidential aide described the argument as puerile, saying it was not supported by fact or history.
He said the PDP paid dearly for not presenting a northern candidate for the 2015 presidential election, warning that the party was on the verge of repeating the "politically fatal error" by robbing the southwest of the first chance to produce its national chairman after 18 years.
"Presently, and for sometime to come, General Buhari is the most popular Northern politician and leader alive. He stands and will likely stand shoulders taller than any politician in APC or PDP in that region. Let anybody mention the name of one northern politician that Buhari's present status will not dwarf.
"This is neither unique or peculiar. When Awolowo was alive, there were great politicians in the West, but he was of such stature that if the ruling party then appointed one national chairman per state in the west, it would have amounted to no political strength or gain whatsoever.
"What we need to strengthen the PDP in the north is excellent and stellar performance of PDP governors in the north and the south; diligent and committed efforts by local party leadership and passionate and courageous, genuine and dutiful engagement of the leadership of the party at all levels with the grassroots in the zone,", Okupe wrote.