ThisDay reports that the Speaker, who has shunned his governorship aspiration and picked up presidential nomination and expression of interest forms on Monday at the party’s secretariat in Abuja.
Following the Speaker’s
decision, it is believed that the current intrigues heralding the presidential
primary of the APC would still linger on because the race for the likes of
former military Head of State, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), former Vice-President
Atiku Abubakar, Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and the Publisher of
Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah may have been complicated.
Tambuwal, who recently
defected to the APC, is alleged to have been motivated by the growing clamour
within the power blocs in the party for a game changer who could be presented
to the Nigerian people, indicating a departure from the veterans and early
starters of the presidential race.
However, before Tambuwal’s
indication of interest, Buhari and Atiku had been the frontrunners in the
presidential race on the platform of the APC, while Kwankwaso and Nda-Isaiah
seen as the dark horses. The coming in of the Speaker would definitely change
the assumptions of who would eventually end up with the party’s presidential
ticket.
A party source, who spoke
on condition of anonymity, revealed that Tambuwal’s indication of interest
should not be considered trivial because the likes of party chieftain like the
ex-governor of former Lagos and a National Leader of the party, Senator Bola
Tinubu, may be favourably disposed to his emergence.
He further hinted that
although Buhari is still the frontrunner in the race despite the speaker’s
entry, his major criticism however remains his alleged religious extremism, even
though this is a misconception that has gained currency over time. But despite
the perception of Buhari’s religious extremism, his candidacy could still cause
a crucial challenge that might affect the chances of the country’s main
opposition party at the general election, hence the new thinking in the party
that a presidential candidate other than Buhari be projected.
However, the former head of
state is believed to still boast of unadulterated support within the APC
hierarchy, particularly among governors like Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State
and Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State as well as former Kwara State Governor, Senator
Bukola Saraki among others alleged to be funding his campaign.
Meanwhile, Atiku, who
doesn’t seem to be enjoying much support like Buhari, among the governors but
relying on his personal resources at the primary where delegates would be
allowed to vote instead of a consensus arrangement which is Buhari’s
preference.
Although the former vice
president is not been criticized along religious line like Buhari, he does not
enjoy much support from top players in the APC hierarchy.
On the other two aspirants,
Kwankwaso, and Nda-Isaiah, the Kano state governor is said to be the candidate
of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is believed to share in the
sentiments of the opposition party, though he is still a member of the ruling
People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Kwankwaso’s support in the party is remarkably
weak, even though he commands a cult-like following in his Kano State and
possibly one or two governors on his side.
Nda-Isaiah, is considered
as a lone-ranger, eager to cash in on the religious discrimination the party is
recently battling.
Observers believe that,
Nda-Isaiah is on the line to change the religious tag placed on the party in
case the party decides to project a Christian candidate to vie against
President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general elections.
Meanwhile, against this
backdrop, Tambuwal’s option is being suggested by a few of the leaders in the
APC, and if it candidacy scales through, it would have to be sold and accepted
by a few of the camps within the APC, some of which are insisting that a
governor must be on the ticket, either as the presidential candidate or as
running mate.
However, there are strong
believes that if the Speaker gets the push, he might have the backing of Tinubu
and even Buhari, both of whom may not mind the change in the larger interest of
the party.
Tambuwal sources disclosed
that they met with Buhari last Friday before purchasing the form on Monday. The
source said Tambuwal is expected to submit his form today or before the end of
the week. He said the Speaker had also met with other presidential candidates,
meetings which afforded him the opportunity to intimate them on his intention
and the need to work together as one family in the nation’s interest.
It is however being
speculated that it is because of the recent development that the party is yet
to fix a specific date for its congresses where delegates will emerge although
the party’s primary slated for December still stands.
Meanwhile, Aminu Tambuwal,
who recently defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All
Progressives Congress (APC), on November 12, 2014, opened up on why he took the
decision.
ThisDay
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