The battle for the management of the construction of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is gathering momentum forward of the occasion’s 26th February conference.
Whereas about 10 candidates are jostling for the chairmanship place, the ticket seems to be all the way down to candidates from the Northcentral.
NAIJATABLOID gathered that governors of the ruling occasion are united towards the candidacy of Alimodu Sheriff, the previous Chairman of the PDP. To knock him out, there seems to be consensus to permit the North Central to clinch the ticket.
APC governors in full take over
The takeover of the occasion by the governors is showing to be crystal clear, judging by the swearing-in of the state govt final week; governors’ factions in about 13 states gained the battle.
In Zamfara State, governor Bello Metawalle defeated each Abdulaziz Yari and Kabir Marafa factions, whereas the identical factor occurred in Kwara, Osun, Cross River and others.
With the States taken over, the governors have set their sights on the nationwide chairmanship, after an try to increase the tenure of Mai Mala Buni-led caretaker committee failed.
Within the final 18 months reign of Buni, the governors held sway. In line with insiders throughout the occasion, the governors need somebody nominated from their ranks.
ACN, ANPP, CPC rotation
The present APC was a merger of Motion Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigerian Peoples Celebration (ANPP), a faction of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and N-PDP members.
For the reason that formation of the occasion, ACN has produced Bisi Akande and Adams Oshiomhole, whereas Buni was additionally a member of the ACN bloc. Alternatively, Oyegun belongs to the ANPP faction. Each CPC and APGA are but to occupy the seat.
There are concerted efforts to make sure that the CPC faction clinches that high place. This association can be cancelling out a number of candidates.
Geopolitical unfold of candidates
The Northcentral has the best variety of candidates within the contest. Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa, Saliu Mustapha of Kwara, Etsu Mohammed and Sen Sani Musa of Niger State and George Akume of Benue State.
Northeast has Isa Yuguda, Sunny Moniedafe and Sheriff, whereas the Northwest has Shinkafi and AbdulAziz Yari.
Governors with Presidential and Vice Presidential ambitions can be cautious of getting the ticket zoned to their geopolitical zone. DAILY POST gathered that Governor Yahaya Bello isn’t disposed to the ticket zoned to the north-central.
Alimodu Sheriff
Sheriff, a former performing Chairman of the PDP, is on the highest record of candidates the governors have determined to oppose by all means mandatory. His alleged previous hyperlink to the creation of the dreaded Boko haram group and stint because the performing Chairman of PDP makes his candidacy very tough.
A former member of the Home of Representatives, who spoke with NAIJATABLOID on the situation of anonymity, stated the opposition to Sheriff isn’t a secret.
“Even from his billboard ‘A person the job wants’, it’s clear that he’s not a person to be stored on the leash. These governors don’t need one other Oshiomhole and if you happen to test the historical past of Sheriff, particularly, his temporary stint as PDP caretaker chairman, the governors don’t need him,” he stated.
As well as, Sheriff, a former member of the ANPP bloc, isn’t beholden to any governor, together with his State governor, Babangana Zulum. NAIJATABLOID learnt that as a result of sources out there to Sheriff, the governors are usually not taking possibilities.
Tanko Almakura
The previous governor of Nasarawa State and serving Senator within the ninth Nationwide Meeting is among the main candidates within the race. Being a former governor will depend by way of expertise.
Almakura additionally has the assist of his State governor, Abdulahi Sule. The Nationwide Meeting can also favour the concept of one among their very own on the helm of affairs.
For the reason that rejection of the obligatory direct primaries possibility within the electoral invoice, the lawmakers are searching for to get a foothold on the occasion. Final week, the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila hosted some former lawmakers of the APC and it was gathered {that a} sizable package deal was given out to them.
The ex-lawmakers, who’re delegates by advantage of the APC Structure, held a gathering in Abuja on the Ibeto Lodge. They’ve created a bloc and are prepared to be persuaded by the factions within the occasion.
Sani Musa
Mr Musa, who sponsored the controversial ‘Safety from Web Falsehoods and Manipulation and Different Associated Issues Invoice, 2019’, aka social media invoice is gaining momentum within the race.
Musa’s profile shot up the roof when Tinubu stated his efforts have been observed by the leaders and “he can be rewarded.”
Nonetheless, as a primary timer within the Senate and never being a former governor may both be a bonus or an obstacle for the person fondly referred to as 313. If backed by his governor, Abubakar Bello, the APC governors’ discussion board is probably not intimidated by him, and lawmakers could also be comfortable.
He isn’t a member of the outdated blocs; in truth, he jostled for the PDP governorship ticket up to now, earlier than settling down for APC senatorial seat in 2019.
Saliu Mustapha
Mr Mustapha, a former deputy nationwide Chairman of the CPC is among the darkish horses on this race. He’s banking on his CPC and North Central connection to enchantment to energy brokers in his occasion.
Nonetheless, folks in his camp are usually not positive if his State governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrasak is absolutely backing him.
His State, like most different APC States, is extremely balkanized. The governor has been preventing to achieve complete management of the occasion towards Lai Mohammed and Gbemisola Saraki for the reason that victory of the motion that displaced Bukola Saraki, the ex-Senate President.
If Mustapha can get the nod of the governor, although the governor is comparatively unknown on the nationwide degree, his lack of robust political profile may assuage the governors to assist him.
George Akume
The Minister for Particular Duties and former Governor of Benue State can also be strongly within the race.
Being a present minister, a former governor and from North Central, Akume may work the equipment to his facet.
The truth that Akume is from the identical State as Iyorcha Ayu, the PDP Chairman, might be a plus and a minus for Akume.
His credential as former Minority chief may depend. However he’s a member of the ACN bloc.
Abdulaziz Yari
The previous Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Discussion board, Yari, presently isn’t in command of his State, Zamfara, having misplaced out to Governor Matewalle within the energy battle.
Yari, a former member of the Home of Representatives, has an uphill battle forward of him. Being from the North West is a minus and preventing along with his governor places him at an obstacle.
Except backed by energy brokers throughout the occasion, who’re prepared to problem the foothold of the governors, he could not succeed. Yari’s credentials as ex-NGF Chairman is unquestionably a plus for him.
Abdulahi Shinkafi
The previous APGA Nationwide Secretary and serial governorship candidate in Zamfara State can also be within the race.
Similar to Yari, his zone places him at an obstacle and the truth that he solely decamped from APGA to APC in 2021 additionally serves as a minus.
Nonetheless, his data of occasion administration might be a bonus and Matewella’s backing to test Yari may imply one thing on the Eagle Sq..
Different candidates
Isa Yuguda from Bauchi State, Etsu Muhammed of Niger State and Sunny Moniedafe of Adamawa State are equally within the race. Supply: DailyPost
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