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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

From Frying Pan to Fire: APC Picks Another Unfit Tinubu After Buhari – Disporans for PDP

by Folarin Kehinde June 9, 2022

written by Folarin Kehinde

As the 2023 presidential election shifts into high gear, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has pulled a big surprise on Nigerians home and abroad by selecting a retired, physically unfit man, Former Lagos State Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as candidate for president of Nigeria.

In response, a US-based organization of Nigerians in diaspora, Diasporans for PDP, has called on APC to stop joking with the future of Nigeria.

In a statement to press by the organization’s National Publicity Secretary, Chidi Igwe, Diasporans for PDP expressed total dismay that APC’s choice of a retired, physically unfit man for president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is retrogressive and will leave Nigeria in a worst shape than the country has been under President Muhammadu Buhari, who himself, was retired and physically unfit when he took office eight years ago.

“The job of a president requires a sound mind, and by what we see today, Former Governor Tinubu is not physically fit, and will not be any different from President Buhari. I think the new name of that party should be All Retrogressive Congress,” says the Diasporans for PDP founder and national chair Honourable Victoria Pamugo.

“Every Nigerian has seen how unproductive and backward our country has been in the past eight years just because we have a retired, physically unfit person as president in Aso Rock.

Instead of giving Nigerians hope by choosing a young, physically fit, working-class Nigerian as we see in other countries like Canada and France, APC has once again shown that they do not represent the interests of the Nigerian people. Rather, they are just working to satisfy the political aspirations of a few retired men among their ranks,” Honourable Pamugo noted.

“Is Nigeria really ready to jump from frying pan to fire? APC’s choice of candidate is bad news for our country,” she lamented.

At the same time, Diasporans for PDP called all members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to unite ahead of the campaign to defeat APC. The US-based organization, which, last week, released a congratulatory message to the PDP flag-bearer, Former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, deems it necessary to remind the party about what is really at stake in this election.

“Nigerians have really suffered a lot in the hands of their incompetent, wicked, and nonchalant government under President Buhari and his APC cronies,” says Honourable Pamugo.

“These incompetent APC leaders have taken the country more than one hundred years backward,” Honourable Pamugo lamented.

“Nigerians have no access to good jobs, good healthcare system, good education… We have no electricity, no food, and no good roads. We have no security. Nothing is working in our country. Citizens are frustrated. People are killed on the streets of Nigeria everyday and everywhere with reckless abandon.

There is no potable water. Inflation is at rates never seen before. We have an abysmal rate of youth unemployment. We have no reliable broadband internet connectivity. All bridges, schools and infrastructure built by our founding fathers are all crumbling as we watch, and no new ones are being built. We have an uncontrollable brain-drain caused by massive exodus as working-class Nigerians migrate to other countries day by day.”

“What country can survive with all these vices?” Honourable Pamugo questioned rhetorically.

“Those are the things at stake in this election. Should Nigeria continue like this? I think the answer is NO in all caps. The key question Nigerians should be asking themselves is why on earth should we give APC another chance to run this country, especially when they have scorned the youth and have continued to choose these retired, physically unfit men for president?”

“All that President Buhari and APC have given us in the past eight years is institutionalizing corruption, even as they apply selective justice by using state security agencies to go after their supposed or perceived enemies and political opponents, while at the same time protecting the fat cats that continue to milk the nation through corrupt means.”

“Restoring hope, life and dignity of every Nigerian is what is at stake in this election, and PDP has a chance to show Nigerians what we can do differently as a party to change the direction in which the country is currently going.”

“We know that some party members may have been wronged in more than one way, and everyone is right to express their dissatisfaction with one party decision or another. But in the end, we are a family. We must not let our eyes off the ball. The things at stake are strong enough to cause us to unite for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

“That is why, on behalf of Diasporans for PDP, I am calling on all PDP members and party lovers to bury the hatchet for the sake of unity. Now that our flag-bearer has emerged, our party must unite, rally around our candidate, and focus on the big fight to defeat APC in 2023. And I believe that PDP is the only party that has the chance, the system, and existing structure to be able to defeat APC,” she added.

“We do not want another four or even eight years of an incompetent, retired and wicked government in Nigeria. PDP must unite for the benefit and future of our country, as it is only through unity that we will achieve victory in this election,” she said.

“As Nigerians in the diaspora, we know that we are not eligible to vote in this election. We also know that we represent a powerful economic and influential bloc. Diasporans for PDP is ready and will help to galvanize the diaspora population to bring about real and lasting change in Nigeria,” Honourable Pamugo affirmed.

“We will mobilize our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, uncles and families in Nigeria to vote wisely and together we will redeem our country from the harm caused by President Buhari and his APC friends over the past eight years,” she emphasized.

“We will support our party and our flag-bearer by mobilizing our volunteers on ground in every state of the federation for grassroots campaign operations, including door-knocking, speaking directly to voters and encouraging Nigerians to save their own country through the power of their vote.”

June 9, 2022 0 comments

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N165B Fraud: Gbajabiamila launches probe against Aregbesola over prison fund

by Leading Reporters February 17, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

The House of Representatives has commenced a probe of the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.

The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, made this known on Wednesday.

Gbajabiamila is a staunch loyalist of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who has declared his intention to run for presidency in 2023.

This development is coming few days after Aregbesola publicly blasted Tinubu for turning himself into a god.

Gbajabiamila presided over the plenary on Wednesday, where members resolved that the interior minister and prisons chief, Haliru Nababa be probed.

They are being accused of misappropriating about N165billion funds earmarked for prisons development across the country.

The House resolution came as a result of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Ndudi Elumelu, who is the Minority Leader of the House.

“The House is disturbed that despite this Act and increase in budgetary allocations to the Nigerian Correctional Service to drive its renewed mandate, the tempo and quality of the service have remained the same if not retrogressing,” Elumelu said.

“The House is worried that the working conditions of staff and inmates’ welfare have deteriorated notwithstanding, the over N165 billion budget allocations to the service in the last two years.”

With this, the lawmakers resolved to have its committee on Reformatory Institutions investigate the allegations and report to the House within 12 weeks, for further legislative action.

February 17, 2022 0 comments

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‘The Youths Are Coming,’ Ambode Asks Youths To Get PVCs Ready for 2023.

by Leading Reporters February 1, 2022

written by Leading Reporters

The immediate past governor of Lagos State Akinwunmi Ambode after a long silence since leaving office in 2019, has asked Nigerian youths to register and get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to vote in the 2023 elections saying power is in their hands.

Ambode made this known in a post shared on his official Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages.

He also appreciated Lagosians for endorsing his contributions to the development of the state

“The youths are coming. The power is in their hands. Go and get your Permanent Voters Card (PVC) ready. Your future is NOW!

“After all we have been through, God has been faithful. Thank you for the overwhelming endorsement of our modest contributions to the growth of Lagos. It can only get better for Lagos, and indeed Nigeria,” Ambode said

https://twitter.com/AkinwunmiAmbode/status/1488457197352804354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”

Since he left office in 2019, Ambode has been missing at political functions. preferring the quiet ambiance.

Ambode served as the governor of Lagos State from 2015 to 2019 and lost his re-election to Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary.

He was the first governor of Lagos State to stay in office for four years since the return to democracy in 1999.

Before Ambode, the current Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, was Lagos governor between 2007 and 2015 while Tinubu was governor from 1999 to 2007.

Although Ambode has not announced his intention to contest any political office in 2023, he is constitutionally permitted to be in office for one more term of four years if the electorate so decides.

February 1, 2022 0 comments

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“South-South, South-East Don’t Have A Say If The North Endorses Me”: Tinubu

by Leading Reporters December 13, 2021

written by Leading Reporters

An exclusive report by 247ureporters had quoted Presidential hopeful, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been quoted to have told leaders of thought from the northern part of the country, during a secret meeting with them, that with the North’s support, his proposed Muslim-Muslim ticket would fly despite opposition that may come from Christian dominated South-South and South-East regions.

Tinubu was quoted to have told the Northern power brokers that the only problem he foresees with his proposed Muslim-Muslim ticket is the South West, Yoruba Ethnic people. But he assured them that getting the Yorubas on his side would be just a walk-over.

Addressing some elders of the North some days ago in Abuja at a secret meeting arranged by his long time friend Senator Abu Ibrahim, Tinubu said they should leave the task of convincing the Yoruba to him if selected by his APC party to carry the banner of the party in the 2023 elections.

The issue of who will be his running mate according to our sources became a major issue during the deliberation. They told him flatly they will not accept a Christian northerner to be his running mate.

He was said to have promised to pick a Northwest politician who will be a Muslim. It was then a prominent politician and former governor was said to have asked him how that will be taken in the South.

Tinubu, said our sources , told his guests the South East and South South who are largely Christians will not matter. It is the South West, he was quoted to have said , that could raise issues but he will manage that and they will not mind.

Tinubu , at the meeting was said to have argued that the vote of the North West, North East , some largely Muslim states in the North Central as well as South West were enough to make him President.

“ All I need is your support,” he was quoted as having said. “ Leave the rest to me, I will handle it.” His guests were said not to have been convinced by his assurance as no regime in the country since independence has governed with both head and deputy as Muslims.

It is believed that come February , the party APC , under which he want to seek the office is most certain to pick a Muslim Chairman from the North Central part of the country. Aspirants for this position are already emerging from Niger , Kwara and Nasarawa states . These candidates are all Muslims . If Tinubu therefore emerges as APC candidate and picks a Muslim candidate from the North West it means all of the important positions in the party are held by Muslims to the exclusion of the Christian.

Part of the argument of the pro -Tinubu elements is that this has happened before when the late billionaire Muslim Aare Moshood Abiola selected Alhaji Babagana Kingibe as his running mate . One of the northern leaders present at the meeting said ,while this is true, that time is different from now. There are all manners of tensions in the land and the security of the nation is fragile.

“If anybody does that now it will be like deliberately setting the country on fire. “

“The IPOB issue is still raging in the South East, young elements are restless in the South West” the source in the meeting was quoted to have pressed on Tinubu

December 13, 2021 0 comments

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Bola Tinubu Allegedly Undergoes Surgery In US, Back To UK On Crutches

by Leading Reporters August 10, 2021

written by Leading Reporters

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu has allegedly undergone another knee surgery at the John Hopkins University Hospital in Maryland, the United States.

It was gathered that the former Lagos state governor returned to the United Kingdom on crutches after undergoing the successful surgery.

According to SaharaReporters, sources revealed that the 2023 presidential hopeful wanted the surgery in Paris, France but changed his plan over rumour of his death.

The source said: “Tinubu had his second surgery at John Hopkins University in Maryland recently. He was accompanied by a popular Nigerian doctor in Chicago.

“He had wanted the surgery in Paris but when rumour was rife about his death, he hurriedly left for Nigeria and went to John Hopkins.

“He left the US for the UK on crutches.”

Recall that SaharaReporters had on July 13 claimed that Bola Tinubu was hospitalised in Maryland, the US.

The former Governor was reported to have had his first surgery.

Tinubu had been away from the political scene for a while, amidst reports of him planning to take over from President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

“Tinubu is hospitalised in Maryland, US. His health is failing. He couldn’t participate in launching his Arewa library, and he couldn’t participate in the Local Government Area elections last week. He could not attend today’s APC congress due to health reasons.

“He had surgery last week,” an authoritative source had disclosed.

Tinubu was also reported sick and hospitalised in Paris, France in January, 2021.

He had earlier complained of exhaustion and had travelled out to rest before the news of his collapse gone viral.

He was flown to Paris for medical attention in the first week of January.

“Tinubu is in Paris, France for a medical checkup. His health is deteriorating. Old age and other stuff, but he still wants to be president. This could mean another medical tourism presidency for our country,” a top source had at that time revealed.

But an aide to the former governor, Tunde Rahman, disclosed that his principal has not been hospitalised.

He insisted that Tinubu has no medical problem that would required hospitalization, saying the APC leader would soon be back.

Rahman said, “His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is fine. He is hale and hearty. He is not in any hospital. He has no medical problem that would require hospitalization. Yes, he is out of the country at the moment. He will be back shortly.

“Anytime he travels out of the country, the next thing some mischievous people would say is he is sick, hospitalized or has died. It is shameful that perpetrators of this evil are not deterred by the fact that each time this fake news has been propagated, they have been proven wrong.

“Who is afraid of Asiwaju Tinubu? Those wishing Asiwaju Tinubu evil or dead should be careful. They should know the matter of life and death is in the hand of only God Almighty.”

Governor Babajide Sanwo of Lagos State had after a recent visit to Tinubu maintained that the APC national leader is in good health.

According to the Governor, Tinubu is well and healthy contrary to some reports about his ill health.

“My going to see our leader was really around the rumours flying around about him.

“He is well and healthy. We discussed happening in our party and country at large. All is well with him as I saw myself and there is nothing to worry about,” Sanwo-Olu declared.

August 10, 2021 0 comments

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2023: : North May Ground Tinubu’s Presidential Quest; May “Compensate” Him In Other Ways

by Leading Reporters June 29, 2021

written by Leading Reporters

Ahmed Bola Tinubu may not be supported by the Northern power brokers come 2023, but may be compensated in many other ‘juicy ways’, according to a Northern power broker who does not want his name in print.

The source who spoke to LeadingReporters General Investigation Editor during a friendly chat hinted that the power brokers from the Northern part of Nigeria have resolved to withdraw their support from Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s presidential quest come 2023. He said however, that the North would not be ungrateful for the role Tinubu played in bringing President Muhammadu Buhari to power.

“I can tell you that the North would not support Tinubu’s presidential activities come 2023. This is not out of ingratitude. We are grateful for his support for a Northern President in the last two general elections. It is not because he is not loved. It is simply because there would be a lot of rescheduling and balancing come 2023 and Tinubu is not found in that equation.

“We are a people who do not turn their back on friends. We would ensure that our dear friend and ally, Ahmed Bola Tinubu gets a fair deal. He would be handsomely rewarded for his perennial support for the region. The reward would not come as support for his presidential ambition. It may come in other irresistible ways.

When pressed for a hint on what the “juicy compensation” may look like, our source simply replied that it was going to be an irresistible compensation which, according to him, Bola Ahmed Tinubu would never resist.

Recall that President Muhammed Buhari in a recent media chat with Arise TV media broadcast has hinted that “nobody is just sitting in Lagos and asking them what to do”. This statement was seen in many quarters as being targeted at Ahmed Bola Tinubu, an APC stalwart from Lagos, South West Nigeria.

June 29, 2021 0 comments

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Aso Rock 2023: 12 Politicians Who Want To Replace Buhari

by Leading Reporters May 5, 2021

written by Leading Reporters

The 2023 elections are two years and two months away. Already, notable politicians from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have begun discreet campaigns to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

Also Read: There is Shortage of Leaders

While a few of them, like Senator Ahmed Yarima, have openly declared their presidential ambition, others have been using allies to test the waters.

Because of the uncertainty over zoning, some presidential hopefuls are being cautious, biding their time to see which way the pendulum would swing.

But as we go into 2021, it is expected that the agitation for the presidential ticket in the two major parties would set off a chain of events expected to culminate in who becomes president in 2023.

Let’s look at 12 political heavyweights believed to be warming up to enter the ring in 2023.

1.Atiku Abubakar

He was Vice President from 1999 to 2007 during the reign of President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He was the PDP presidential candidate in the 2019 general elections but lost to APC’s Muhammadu Buhari.

Atiku, a business mogul and political heavyweight, is thought to have a deep pocket with political machinery and structures spread across the country. He ran for governor of Adamawa State first in 1990 and again in 1998 (when he won, before being picked as VP candidate) and was a presidential candidate of the defunct Action Congress (AC) in the 2007 presidential elections.

He contested the PDP presidential ticket before the 2011 general elections but did not make it.

In 2014, he joined the APC ahead of the 2015 presidential elections and contested the presidential primaries but lost to Buhari. He would later support Buhari’s run to Aso Rock. After being sidelined by the APC, he returned to the PDP in 2017 and secured the party’s presidential ticket for the 2019 general elections.

Though Atiku has not openly declared his intention to contest in 2023, indications show that he would. He has been a constant critic of the Buhari administration and his son, Adamu Atiku, had in June 2020, said that his father would contest again in 2023.

Adamu, who spoke at the presentation of his scorecard as Commissioner for Works and Energy in Adamawa State, said, “I don’t see anything wrong with my father contesting for the presidency.

“In 2023, my father will be aspiring to the Number One office in the land because he has been an astute, strategic, master politician for almost four decades,” he said.

2. Bola Ahmed Tinubu

The APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has not openly declared his intention to run for the 2023 presidency but his allies, loyalists and supporters have commenced early campaigns for him to succeed President Buhari.

Though Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, has at every forum reiterated that the time is not yet ripe for 2023 electioneering, those around him have already started mobilizing.

Immediately after the 2019 elections, a group in Lagos, Tinubu 2023 Non-Negotiable (TNN), began actively campaigning for him nationwide.

Only last week, a new group, South West Agenda (SWAGA), led by Senator Dayo Adeyeye, comprising of former lawmakers and other politicians, asked Tinubu to make a run for 2023.

Tinubu has also recently embarked on a national tour, which analysts say are surreptitious moves to sell himself to the people and invigorate his national appeal.

But his 2023 ambitions are being challenged by forces within the party and he would have to overcome this threat to secure the party’s ticket.

Also, a group of young Nigerian professionals recently unveiled a political movement in Abuja to work for the actualisation of Tinubu’s perceived presidential aspiration.

The movement known as Young Professionals for Tinubu 2023, with membership across the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, said it had been in existence for almost two years, noting that the occasion was to mark its formal inauguration.

The National Coordinator of the group, Mr. Ahmed Muhammed Ibrahim, noted that Tinubu’s leadership qualities and knack for development informed the group’s resolve to work for his emergence as the APC candidate, as well as his success in the 2023 presidential election.

Tinubu has easily dominated South-West politics since 1999 and had been a thorn in the sides of the then ruling PDP.

He battled then President Obasanjo to a standstill and has managed to install every governor in Lagos since 2007, and many others in the South West. His biggest challenge yet might just be surviving the APC, a party he helped form and still leads, to make his presidential ambition a reality in 2023.

3. Rotimi Amaechi

Recently, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, a former two-term governor of Rivers State and current minister of transportation, stressed the need for the APC to respect the gentleman agreement to zone the presidency to the South in 2023.

This, pundits say, suggests he has ambitions for the seat.

Amaechi is one of the most visible ministers in Buhari’s government. He served as the Director-General of Buhari’s Campaign in 2015 and 2019.

He has experience as a former speaker in Rivers State, a two-term governor, former chairman of the NGF and now a minister driving a critical ministry in the present government.

But there are odds stacked against him as he may have to battle former President Goodluck Jonathan for the soul of the South-South.

He is also going to contend with the infighting in his home state, which has left the party deeply divided in recent times.

While he has not also declared interest in the presidency, people around him say he has his eyes firmly fixed on the seat and he is not leaving anything to chance.

4. Kayode Fayemi

Though Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has not declared for president in 2023, remarks made recently by a leader of the APC in his state suggest that the former minister of mines and steel development may be gearing up for the exalted seat.

Penultimate Saturday, the Paul Omotoso-led APC caretaker committee endorsed the governor for the presidency in 2023.

Omotoso, who spoke through Ade Ajayi, the APC caretaker publicity secretary, at an event organised by Olusegun Osinkolu in Ayede Ekiti, Oye Local Government Area of the state, said the party would drag Mr Fayemi into the presidential battle forcefully if he refuses to join willingly.

“On the 2023 presidency, the time has come for the president to come from Ekiti. That is why we are pleading with you to support Governor Fayemi.

“Though Governor Fayemi has never said he wanted to contest, we will force him to plunge into the race because of his competence, dedication and loyalty to [the] APC,” he added.

Fayemi can also leverage on his current position as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to pursue this ambition with the support of governors in the ruling party.

5. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso

Pundits believe Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, a two-term former governor of Kano State, is likely to pursue his presidential ambition again in 2023.

Though the former minister of defence has not declared interest yet, he has, at different times, sought the presidential ticket of both the APC and the PDP but lost to President Buhari and former Vice President Atiku respectively.

Kwankwaso, who enjoys widespread support in Kano, is the leader of the Kwankwasiyya political movement.

He was in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 1990s, rubbing shoulders with the likes of the late General Shehu Yar’adua, his former boss Senator Magaji Abdullahi, Babagana Kingibe, Atiku Abubakar, Bola Tinubu, late Tony Anenih, late Chuba Okadigbo, Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila and late Lamidi Adedibu amongst others.

6. Donald Duke

Donald Duke was the governor of Cross River State and the SDP presidential candidate in 2019.

He left the PDP, where he had served as a two-term governor to run for the presidential seat on the platform of the SDP.

Duke had initially declared his intention to run for president in 2007 but stepped aside in favour of the late Umaru Yar’Adua.

Analysts say his ambition to become president remains alive with his constant engagements at important occasions across the country.

Already, there are some social media groups like Team Donald Duke which has over 40,000 members reportedly from the South-South, South East and South Western parts of the country championing the 2023 presidential ambition of the former governor.

7. Owelle Rochas Okorocha

With the deafening agitation for a Southern presidency in 2023, Rochas Okorocha, the former Imo State governor and Senator representing Imo West, qualifies as one of the candidates to fly the APC’s flag.

As a former chairman of the NGF, he may enjoy a nationwide reach and with the Igbo fighting tooth and nail to get the presidency, he might enjoy some advantage.

But the argument in some quarters has been that his influence appears to be limited in Igboland.

He, therefore, might not be accepted as the face of the Igbo and the right candidate to champion that course.

Okorocha should be ready to face even tougher challenges than he did in 2019 when he could not secure the APC ticket for his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu.

8. Ahmed Sani Yarima

He was governor of Zamfara State from 1999 to 2007.

He represented Zamfara West in the National Assembly and equally served as Deputy Minority Leader in the Senate.

He is currently a member of the ruling APC.

Yarima is the only person to have declared his ambition to be president in 2023.

He had attempted before in 2007 but later stepped aside for Buhari.

Recently, he told reporters in his Abuja residence that he would contest the 2023 presidency, insisting that the APC leaders did not reach any agreement before the 2015 general elections that there would be power rotation to the South at the expiration of President Buhari’s tenure in 2023.

If there is a zoning arrangement, it would most likely scuttle Yarima’s ambition, but the former governor seems determined to plod through, arguing that zoning was alien to the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and the APC’s Constitution.

He insists that no one could force him out of the race on grounds of zoning.

“You see, I don’t think there is anything like agreement. You can ask Mr President.

“He led the group. Asiwaju was there. I was part of it. There was no meeting I didn’t attend or any meeting that I attended that there was such an agreement.

“Agreements can’t be verbal, [they have] to be written. In any case, any agreement that is contrary to the laws of this country is not an agreement.

“The Constitution is very clear, the Constitution of the political parties, the Electoral Act.

“We are in a democracy and democracy is governed by processes and procedures and bylaws.

“The Constitution of Nigeria doesn’t recognize anything called zoning and likewise, the APC’s Constitution. If there is that agreement, why didn’t we put it in the Constitution?” he said.

9. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal

The incumbent Sokoto State governor clinched the governorship seat in 2015 using the APC ticket.

He was a founding member of the APC, after he and some other governors defected from the PDP and helped form the coalition that became the APC.

He would later return to the PDP, vie for the presidential ticket in 2019 and after losing that to Atiku Abubakar, secure a second term as governor of Sokoto State on the party’s ticket.

Tambuwal served as the 10th speaker of the House of Representatives and represented the Tambuwal/Kebbe Federal Constituency of Sokoto State at the National Assembly.

He is currently the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum (PDPGF).

The governor has started consulting some notable political leaders across the six geo-political zones over his presidential ambition.

On August 22, 2020, Tambuwal held a closed-door meeting with a former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, in Abeokuta, Ogun State at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Pent House.

The Special Assistant on Media to the former President, Kehinde Akinyemi, confirmed the closed-door meeting in a statement he issued the following day.

The statement titled “Obasanjo still relevant for consultations on issues of governance and challenges” described the visit by Tambuwal as an unscheduled one.

The statement also quoted the governor as saying he visited Obasanjo for consultation on governance and other issues.

The governor also consulted former Senate President David Mark, former Defence Minister, Gen TY Danjuma (retd) and many other prominent politicians.

Pundits say Tambuwal is counting on his age, political experience in the legislative and executive arms of governments, his clout, and political pedigree to become president.

10. Yahaya Bello

There are strong signals that Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State is among those eyeing Buhari’s seat in 2023.

Already, giant billboards have been erected in strategic locations in the state, urging him to run for president in 2023.

Recently, the Kogi State House of Assembly, at its plenary, passed a resolution calling on the governor to run for president.

House Majority Leader, Hassan Abdullahi, while moving the motion said the call was predicated on the ‘sterling performance’ of the governor since he assumed office in 2016.

Besides the resolution by the state lawmakers, the governor’s foot soldiers and loyalists, including commissioners and special advisers in his cabinet, have all been drumming support for his (Bello’s) presidency in 2023 through various social and traditional media platforms.

According to them, it is now the turn of the North Central geopolitical zone to produce the next president.

11. David Umahi

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State is also one of the politicians from the South East believed to be interested in Buhari’s plum seat in 2023.

Umahi, who has been a top chieftain of the PDP for many years, recently defected to the ruling APC in a strategic move to position him for the 2023 presidency.

Although Umahi has said that his defection had nothing to do with any presidential ambition in 2023, pundits and political watchers are of the view that the Ebonyi governor was being economical with the truth.

In the fullness of time, it would be clear whether Umahi would throw his hat in the ring for the presidency or not.

12. Bala Mohammed

Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed of Bauchi State is a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from 2010 to 2015.

Senator Mohammed of the PDP defeated an incumbent APC governor in the 2019 elections, thereby creating a major upset in a key State that has always voted for President Buhari.

The governor of Bauchi State has not shown any interest to run for the presidency but a civic group, Abuja Coalition of Youth and Women, has called on him to contest the elections.

The group made the call in a communique issued at the end of its meeting in Abuja and signed by Aminu Zakari and Christiana Jacob, president and secretary-general respectively.According to the group, by 2023, Nigeria would be in dire need of a competent, transparent and resourceful leader to pilot the affairs of the nation and save it from chaos and disintegration.The names of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe), Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State and Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State are being mentioned in certain quarters, but it is not yet clear if they would contest.Sources said they are being circumspect about their ambition because of the zoning factor and would most likely contest when the cloud gets clearer.

May 5, 2021 0 comments

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