As the nation prepares for the 2015 General elections, there have been several political moves and maneuvering by politicians to remain in power or get into power and this is apt in the All Progressives Congress.
The need to win the presidency by the APC has made it imperative for the governors under the APC platform to produce the party’s vice-presidential candidate for the 2015 election as they are demanding that one of them should be given the party’s vice-presidential slot.
It was reliably gathered that their demand was premised on the indication that a former Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) or ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar might get the presidential ticket. The Publisher of Leadership Newspaper, Mr. Sam Nda-Isaiah, is also seeking the APC presidential ticket.
The governors seeking the party’s presidential ticket are Rochas Okorocha (Imo State) and Rabiu Kwakwanso (Kano State) though Okorocha has not formally declared his intention to contest the Presidential ticket.
However, It was learnt that the outcome of the presidential primary would decide the zoning of other elective offices.
Prior to the merger (the Action Congress of Nigeria, the All Nigeria Peoples Party and the Congress for Progressive Change), it was learnt that there was a tentative agreement that the North should produce the President, while the vice-president should come from the South-West.
It was learnt that the party was currently exploring the possibility of picking the vice-presidential candidate from the South-East or the South-South based on the fact that none of the party’s governors in the South-West is a Christian. The APC is well aware of the political ‘dangers’ inherent in fielding presidential candidate and a running mate of the same faith.
The APC governors in the two zones include Okorocha, Adams Oshiomhole (Edo State) and Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers State).
According to a top official of the party, “We have not concluded discussions on the presidential ticket.
“All I can tell you for now is that either Buhari or Atiku may get the ticket. The governors are also demanding that an incumbent governor from the South should be picked as the vice-presidential candidate.
“We are looking towards the South-South and South-East to ensure that we field a Muslim-Christian ticket. We have assured Nigerians that we are not contemplating a Muslim-Muslim ticket and we will not disappoint them.”
The APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, had, last month said the party had never contemplated fielding a presidential and vice presidential candidates who belong to the same faith.
It was gathered that those currently in contention include Oshiomhole, Amaechi, Babatunde Fashola (Lagos State) and a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Prof. Yemi Osibajo.
A highly placed party source said, “No firm decision has been taken with regard to the issue of who will become vice- president yet.
“The governors are insisting that if one of them cannot be number one, they should at least be allowed to produce number two.
“Initially, most of the governors insisted on the number one position but later agreed that if they are to concede, something must be given to them in return. If you remember, one of the aspirants, Kwankwaso, even gave indications that he would like to run with former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
“For Fashola, those making a case for him point to his record of achievements in the last seven and half years in office.
“All of these things will depend on how the presidential candidate emerges. If we go ahead to do the primary without consensus, a lot will depend on the disposition of the party’s national chieftain, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
“If he is convinced that the party’s interest will be better served by promoting someone outside the South-West, then Oshiomole or Ameachi is likely to be favoured.”
The source added, “If, however, he believes that it would be better served with a VP from the South-West, then you can be sure he will settle for a core loyalist and Oshibajo may be favoured because of his loyalty and background as a Christian.
“However, there is this school of thought that some powers that be would rather have Fashola out in the political wilderness for the next four years to neutralise him.”
When asked to comment on the governors’ alleged insistence on the VP slot, the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the party would cross the bridge when it got there.
Mohammed said, “Right now, we are busy preparing for our presidential primaries. It is when we conclude that process that we can talk of other issues. Be patient.”
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